Trend Alert: The Gold Linked Chain

Shashi Naidoo

The gold linked chain has been my recent favourite accessory this summer and a definite must have! It adds a dash of Rihanna to any outfit, come day or night. I love the simplicity yet bold statement it brings, giving any outfit that perfect dose of pizazz.

I’ve paired mine with a plain white tee, a bright coral blazer, jeans and nude heels. Less is more, so I tried to keep it simple with stud earrings and minimal/plain jewelry.

Gold matches with every colour. I love how Shashi has paired it with both casual and formal wear and still manages to ooze with sophistication, no matter the occasion. 

www.instagram.com/shashinaidoo

Tip: I find that many stores are selling the gold chains that either look or feel like plastic. Try not to buy these ones. I guess there’s a fine line in turning the gold-chain look from classy to all out trashy, if you get what I'm trying to say. I've seen good quality necklaces at SassDiva or Lovisa, Canal Walk - so check those stores for good deals. 

Someone once told me that I’d look too gangster wearing a chained gold necklace…I responded: "I did not choose the gangster life. The gangster life chose me." Hahaha.

Nonetheless, my friends have agreed with me that its an accessory every girl should have this summer!

Kouthar: “I love them. They so funky and gives every outfit that edge.”

Naz: “Love it. It makes an outfit look so classy!”

Qaanita: "I love, love, love it. Perfect accessory for summer that goes with everything. It adds that bit of edge and funkiness to an outfit. It's a summer season must-have!"

Aqeelah: "It can make your outfit completely fabulous!"

XOX

Cafe Review: The Creamery

Recently, hidden café’s or petite coffee boutiques have really intrigued me. My latest obsession has to be “The Creamery” that has opened up in Dean Street, Newlands. It's perfect on a warm Sunday afternoon before we all head right into Monday morning madness. The 'calm before the storm', I say.

The Creamery specialises in handmade ice-cream and desserts.  I tried out the waffle with birthday cake ice-cream, chocolate espresso dust, topped with chocolate sauce. It was like heaven melting in my mouth!

What really blew me away were the extraordinary different flavoured hand-made ice-creams that they offered. The flavours are so precise to the label; Peanut Butter, Birthday Cake (my favourite), Chocolate, Salted Caramel, Choc Chip, Pistachio, Farm Cream, Rosetta Roastery Coffee, Naartjie Chocolate Chip and Lemon Curd Swirl. The prices are fairly decent, but definitely worth every penny (Single scoop R18, Double R28).

In addition to this, they offer Sundaes, various seasonal desserts and of course your tea and coffee.

You may find this brand a lil familiar. After only 18 months since launching their brand, The Creamery made an appearance on the second season of Masterchef SA as the nation's best artisanal ice-cream producer! So big ups on them for the incredible achievement!

I love the turquoise colour palette of this place and the boutique look and feel of it. Do pop in and give it a try be it for breakfast or a late night craving. For those sweet tooth lovers, it's pretty darn good!

Feroza Petersen: “The service was warm and friendly. It appeals to the young and trendy generations. Their ice-cream was absolutely divine and the flavours were to die for! It comes highly recommended for both adults and kids.” 

Visit their website for more information. Do pop in and give it a try.

www.thecreamery.co.za

Shop 4, Newlands Quarter,

Deen Street, Newlands

021 686 3975

Mon: Closed

Tues, Wed: 10am - 7pm

Thurs, Fri, Sat, Sun: 10am - 11pm 

My Role Model: Shashi Naidoo

Every girl grows up with someone in their life that they look up to, to aspire to be like - someone that motivates them to do better, to be better. My role model has inspired me in more ways than I could have imagined. Not only have I had the pleasure in meeting her, but I have also been honoured to know her personally.

Shashi Naidoo

Shashi Naidoo is a highly ambitious and driven woman who has been blessed with not only impeccable beauty but brains as well. Her countless achievements continue to grow on a daily basis. She’s a model, business owner, chiropractor, actress, MC, TV presenter, winner of Come Dine with Me & Tropika Island of Treasure, a blogger, an ambassador for many brands, FHM’s most hottest woman in the world and as I run out of breath trying to list the things she’s involved in, you will understand why I say she’s one of many talents. Ask her to write up a CV, I’m sure she’d end up with an entire book!

My fascination, with who Shashi Naidoo is, all started off when I read an interview in the People magazine about her new role in Egoli. And of course, I tuned in every evening and was glued to a soapie that I’ve never really taken interest in before. From then, her career blossomed and Shashi became a household name. She graced the covers of many magazines and appeared on many television and radio shows. Everyone who knew me would know who Shashi was. If they didn’t, I’d be sure to tell them all about her and would no doubt convert them into being a fan.

Her achievements inspired me and the manner in which she carried herself set her apart from the rest. Often celebrities are tainted by the media. Nevertheless, I have only come across words that have painted Shashi in such a positive light. She has managed to stay so humble in spite of her rising fame and has continued to give back where she can. The way in which she values and cherishes her family and friends is palpable, and I admire her for that.  

She welcomed me into her home and I got to get a very surreal first-hand experience of “The Life of Shashi Naidoo” and yes I would say it is as glamorous as it seems, but a lot of hard work and long hours is behind it all. I remember the day she gave me a couple of tips the first time I did a commercial shoot. Or the day I told her I started off at UCT Radio and she said “And so it begins! I am so proud of you”. To have your role model motivate you and inspire you to be GREAT, makes all that hard work a whole lot easier.

I thank you Shashi for all that you’ve done for me and all the inspiration that you’ve given. Continue to be the phenomenal person that you are.  I am sure I am not the only one to be blown away by your heart of gold :)

Have a look at her stunning fashion blog: shashiscloset.com

4 year old Kai sings Bruno Mars #Ellen

Jimmy Kimmel Prank: I told my kids I ate their Halloween candy

Witness The Fitness

Running. 

That exercise we love to hate and we hate to love. I’ve never really been a fanatic about running. In fact, every time I ran I was reminded of how unfit I was and questioned why I was doing this to myself. Whether it was running on a treadmill in a fancy gym or running on the road, I just couldn’t find the pleasure of going the distance. What I didn’t know was that it wasn’t running that was the problem, but the way in which I was running. Now some of you couch potatoes may not be interested in all the technicalities of running – perhaps the very reason why you’re stuck on the couch in the first place. To me running was all about speed but in fact, running is all about the distance. I wouldn’t say I’m a ‘know-it-all’ about all things running, but I definitely found the pleasure in running from following these few tips I learnt along the way.

First things first, keep at a pace. Get the rhythm going. Run at the speed at which one would walk in a fast pace. Focus on that rhythm and perfect it. It’s not all about how fast you get to your destination - we’ll leave that to the speed trainers. It is rather about how much of the distance you can endure at a regular pace.

Running is considered to be very therapeutic. It gets the happy endorphins pumping and secondly it gets you thinking and helps you clear your mind. Focus on your thoughts because as we all know, one thought leads to another and another and another. Before you know it, you’ve run half the block already.

Music is like my mantra! I suggest you put together a running or exercise playlist before you hit the road. On my playlist I have tunes from Zedd, Avicii, Swedish House Mafia and Calvin Harris to name a few. Electro-house pretty much gets me going. The beat also helps me find a rhythm. If it means that I have to sing along in my head to help me get through the distance, then that is what I’ll do. Just don’t take it too far and be fist pumping along the road haha, because then you’ll just be making a fool of yourself.  

Another tip I always tell my friends is “Never Look Ahead”. Focus on the ground before you and only on the ground. Looking at the distance ahead just puts your off and ten-to-one youre going to find a landmark and tell yourself that that’s where you’re going to stop. Biggest trick ever is to not pay attention to the distance. Listen to your thoughts, listen to the music, focus on your pace. The distance will melt away the moment you get into that zone.

I often have this debate with people between which route is best: Road vs Treadmill. This could be different for everyone, but I think that road running is by far more advantageous. Too begin with, the treadmill has a STOP button! Haha! That is no good for people who don’t want to run in the first place! From experience, running on the treadmill started off with a half hour run, down to 20mins and down to a further 5mins. I became lazy because it was easy for me to stop. Pathetic you may say. Indeed!  Next thing you know, there’s Husain Bolt wannabe next to you trying to outrun that treadmill and there goes your self-confidence. Sounds like lame excuses I’m making up here – fact is, I just don’t enjoy it. Running on the road you have the scenery, you have the distance pushing you to the end. No-one is there to carry you home. You are forced to run home! May it be running or walking, you are forced to complete that distance and that is what keeps me going. That is what helps me reach my goals and I can come home satisfied, having conquered the road!

Running CAN be FUN, you just have to find ways in which to make it easier for yourself and more enjoyable. Make it a habit. Make a commitment. The moment you start to crave that after-exercise burn in your legs. That’s when you know you’ve got it right! 

Restaurant Review: Tasha's

Tasha’s is one of my favourite restaurants in Cape Town. Natasha Sideris, the founder and owner of this boutique cafe has managed to utilise her entrepreneurial talent to make Tasha’s into a whopping success in less than a decade. It has remained popular nationwide with several branches open in Johannesburg, Cape Town as well as in Durban and Pretoria.

What is her secret might you ask? It is her attention to detail and precision in all spheres required to make a brand and business successful. It is evident from the moment you walk in, from the service to the fresh, delicious cooked food, or from the stylish boutique styled look to the at-home ambiance  No matter what time of the day it is, there is a constant buzz.

With its increasing popularity, you will find you have to be patient and wait in line for the next available spot as booking or reserving seats is not allowed. Make no mistake this has not stopped people from coming back for more!

Not only does the food look good, it tastes good too!
Real value for money I say.

Although I have not yet explored the whole menu, my favourite dishes thus far would have to be “Tasha’s Panini” under Sandwiches as well as “The Brazillian” Quisidillas. 

To drink, I love the Spiced Chai.

My mouth just waters thinking about it!

Cape Town has been newly introduced to the trend of frozen yoghurt with branches like Wakaberry and Menchies on the market. In order to stay trendy and current, Tasha's has created a new popular dessert with their very own frozen yoghurt, coming in different flavours and toppings. 

A definite “must try!”

Delicious assorted Milkshakes

Tasha’s is for sure to remain a quality brand and I cannot wait for more branches to open up in Cape Town!

TASHA’S CONSTANTIA:

021 794 5449

Shop 55, Constantia Village, Constantia

 Opening hours: Monday – Saturday 7am till 6pm, 

Sunday 7h30am till 4pm

My Soulmate

I believe in soulmates and it doesn’t come from someone telling you that they’re your soulmate, you just know. It’s a feeling, a feeling of happiness. Like your world is at peace with them in your life. Your missing puzzle piece. Your other half. Your best friend.

You soulmate changes your life completely and you start to wonder how you got along without them in the first place. From here onwards, you both know without a doubt that you’ll be spending the rest of your lives together.

There’s an old myth that goes by saying: “You enter this world with a soul, and it splits into two - each half inhabiting a different body. These two are forever soulmates and will never be complete until they find each other.” I know you might be thinking this is bonkas and what not. But once you’ve found your soulmate, everything will start to make sense.

I have been blessed to call someone my soulmate. Nicole Megan Gounder, I knew from the very beginning that our friendship would blossom into something incredible. Who knew we would be so lucky enough to find each other in a world with billions of people.

I am ever grateful to have you in my life, and I will remind you this on numerous occasions. You ask us to explain our friendship to someone, they would be mindboggled. They won’t understand. But that’s okay, because our friendship should only matter to us. You just make my world that much more beautiful to live in and I am forever smiling because of you :)

To my soulmate, here’s to many more years of happiness, love and a phenomenal friendship!

I love you with all my heart

#Hastags #For #Days

We live in a cyber world where we feel the need to #hastag ev.ver.ry.thing.

This is one of my favourite videos from Jimmy Fallon and Justin Timberlake. I'm #ROTFL #Lmao #lol

Start your day on a healthy note:

As the saying goes:

 “breakfast is the most important 

meal of the day”

So why not make it healthy while you're at?

This is a very quick and easy treat I learnt from Shashi Naidoo.

Ingredients:

Whole wheat bread

Egg whites

Avocado

Tabasco sauce (for  flavouring)

Pretty simple method:

Pop the bread in the toaster

Separate the egg white and sizzle it on the stove

Spread the avocado and place the cooked egg white on top

Top it off with some spicy Tabasco sauce for flavouring – avoid using any other sauces rich in calories, it would defeat the purpose of it being a healthy meal!

Finished Product

Not only is this meal quick and easy to make, it’s also filling. 

You start your morning off with some healthy carbs to get that immediate energy. 

Using the egg white instead of the whole egg is healthier. Egg whites have a less calories, fats and cholesterol. 

Although avocados are perceived as containing a lot of fat, however it contains healthy fats that are necessary for a healthy living. It contains substantial amount of vitamins and minerals.

Enjoy!

Welcome!

The key to a fulfilled life…? 

"do the things that make you happy" 

and 

“live life to the fullest”. 

My two mottos that I live by, hence the title of my blog: Euphoria - "an intense state of happiness".

Euphoria is all about putting my passion to writing, so do join me on this journey as I explore the pleasures that life has to offer!



(Layinah Petersen) The Holi One Festival of Colours