Craft Parkhurst

Known for their exceptional burgers and ribs, Craft Parkhurst has recently introduced a  mouth-watering extension of waffles and extreme milkshakes to their dessert menu alongside their Guilt-Free Cheesecake and Salted Caramel Panna Cotta to name a few...

On my recent trip to Johannesburg, a few friends and I were treated to a delectable array of desserts at Craft Parkhurst. The evening was rainy and cold and what better way to spend it with good friends and food. Thinking back to that night makes me want feel for their Peanut Butter milkshake. Our mission was to sample the new additions to the dessert menu beginning with the Guilt-Free Cheesecake which is carb and sugar free. It is Banting and diet-friendly. Served in a cute little cast-iron pot on a wooden serving board, the baseless cheesecake topped with almonds and berries is perfect for two. Sweet and creamy and totally guilt-free, this dessert is perfect for the health-conscious!

Next we tried out the Vanilla milkshake and the Peanut Butter milkshake. With the simple presentation, all the glory is in the shake. Sugary sweet and delicious is all I have to say. I'm going to jump to the pizza and mention that it was divine! A medium-base pizza with vegetables hit the spot on a cold night! 

Back to the desserts... The Salted Caramel Panna Cotta was my favourite of the night. It's not too sweet which is my preference since my days of sugar-loading are long gone. Served on a wooden serving board with a side of sugared pop corn and spun sugar as well as a generous drizzle of caramel. May I just add that the caramel was made to perfection. There was no trace of burnt sugar. 

By this time we all were nearing the point of 'Food Coma' but we continued, relentlessly. Next we gave the Roasted Marshmallow waffles a go. Home-made buttermilk waffles topped with an assortment of Marshmallows and Marshmallow fluff. This was a treat! I was too full to have more than a few bites however, I really enjoyed it!

The Piece de Resistance, the Cotton Candy,Candy Popping Extreme Milkshake. This was a feast for the eyes! Looking at the work of art milkshake was such a treat. Served on a wooden board as well, this milkshake was topped with whipped cream, cotton candy and m&m's. It was almost too good to try! Nevertheless, we each had our chance to devour it. It tastes like little fairies dancing on your tastebuds and fireworks going off in the distance leaving behind a trace of sparkles...

Our overall experience was delightful. From the time we arrived, we were treated with hospitality and friendliness from George Camara the Manager and Zee Inyoni our waiter. The atmosphere was lively buzzing with people. I definitely recommend this place for a fun girls night out or for a quick coffee!

*My apologies for the poor quality images. I didn't have a camera with me so I had to resort to phone pictures.

2016

Hi everyone! It's been too long! I feel like I should say Happy New year even though we're nearing the end of the month. Wow! I can't even... Why is time going by so quickly? Anyway, I hope you all had a relaxing holiday. I didn't take a holiday last/this year which is partly why I have been absent on my blog - I was so busy with life. I won't reflect on the past year because, truth be told, I can't remember. It feels like one big blur. I will however, mention that everything I prayed and worked so hard for came true so I am extremely grateful. With that being said, this year I plan to work just as hard to make my dreams a reality and so far, I'm off to a productive start. 

It took me some time to get myself into gear with blog content but it's finally gotten done! This past week alone, I had to get myself to both my jobs (makeup and styling), plan and host a baby shower, shoot some content for the blog and try to fit in family and friends. I don't know how, but it all got done! I did start a new book but sadly it had to take the backseat for the past week. Hopefully this week I'll allocate some me-time and get a few hours of reading in.

What I'm Wearing:

During the December holiday I managed to do a bit of shopping. I was quite disappointed because I didn't find anything I fell in love with. I feel I bought clothes just because I needed new stuff. A few friends and I were chatting and we all came to the conclusion, Cotton On was the only store we found  decent items in. Eventually I had to stop. I don't want my wardrobe to consist of Cotton On only (even though I love their clothes). The Pants is from Zara - I got this one on sale. It was priced really reasonably so I took it in two colours. The denim Shirt is from Cotton on and the necklace is from Colette Hayman. The shoes (Zara) and hat (Mr Price) are from deep within my closet...

Denim Shirt - Cotton On // Rust Pants - Zara // Cobalt Heels - Zara // Pearl Necklace - Colette by Colette Hayman 

Makeup: Done by Myself // Photography - Pagiel Chetty www.pagielchetty.com //  Instagram: @pagielchetty

Coffee Break

Can this year end already??? Its the final stretch and boy am I am feeling it! On a happier note though, work is almost over and I can't wait to relax! I have been watching everyone's snaps on Snapchat - most of them are on holiday. One of my friends is giving me major envy with all his Thailand snaps while I'm snapping myself at work! I don't have anything planned this year however I do wish to spend quality time with my family. I feel like I haven't seen then all year! 

Pagiel and I shot this at the Durban Botanic Gardens after a shoot we had done. We needed something to cool us down after working in the blazing sun all morning and ended up doing an impromptu photoshoot for me. My look was casual and cool, allowing me to move freely and work efficiently in the heat. The satin pyjama-style top is from Zara, it's probably the coolest shirt I own. The jeans are from Mr Price which was purchased for a photoshoot but made it's way into my closet. Lastly, the shoes are from Zara, which are still in stock in some stores.

Satin Top - Zara // Denim Jeans - Mr Price // Pointy Cut out Shoes - Zara // Leather Bracelet - Louis Vuitton // Sunglasses - Her Collection

Photography by Pagiel Chetty - www.pagielchetty.co.za @pagielchetty 

Joseph Ribkoff Event

Last Friday 4 Elements Media and Stuttafords Gateway invited  myself and a few others to attend the launch of the latest collection by Joseph Ribkoff, stocked by Stuttafords. Guests were treated to welcome drinks and a selection of hors d'oeuvres which included spicy prawns and mini salmon and potato rosti towers. Guests were given a little insight about the Spring 2016 collection which perfectly complements the modern woman. 

The theme for the season is 'ease of dressing' which is translated through the softened silhouettes of draping, overlapping and asymmetrical lines. The key fabrics utilised are silky knit and sublime georgette which play perfectly into the effortlessly sexy look the brand emphasizes. Special design features include fringe trims, zippers and gold hardware. Black and white accompanied by stripes are the leading prints for the season punctuated with pops of colour and spring florals.

My look for the evening was understated glam. The black draped dress was part of the latest collection which I accessorised with some key items from the latest Ted Baker collection, also stocked by Stuttafords. The black cut out heels were incorporated to add a bit of dimension to my look as the colour palette remained monochrome.

Black Dress - Joseph Ribkoff at Stuttafords // Necklace - Ted Baker at Stuttafords // Flower Cuff - Ted Baker at Stuttafords // Flower Bracelet - Ted Baker at Stuttafords // Cutout Heels - Schutz 

Photos by Al Nicholl

Blown Away

It's Monday again, back to the rat race! I wish time would slow down already so I can catch my breath! Last week was such a busy week for me, I had lots of work as well as an interview for Mela on SABC 2. We prerecorded it, it should air some time towards the end of this month or early December so please look out for that on my Instagram and please watch the show!

A few items from this look was borrowed from my sister's closet. I am so tired of looking at my clothes - I really can't find any new ways to pair it. When I put this look together I envisioned myself wearing this to a casual lunch with my sisters or going shopping (so I can update my wardrobe) or even to work! We shot this at the Point on what felt like the windiest day of the year. You will notice my hair is flying in every picture. Pagiel tried his best to get a good shot of me but eventually we gave up due to the weather. 

I'm sitting on my couch, listening to 'Hello' by Adele feeling nostalgic. I don't know what more to write about so I'll just leave it at that.

Have a productive week! xx

Yellow Top - Zara // Nautical Jacket - Forever New // Camo Denim - True Religion // Jelly Shoes - Vivienne Westwood for Melissa // Sling Bag - Topshop // Bangle - Swarovski // Watch - Raymond Weil // Sunglasses - Rayban// Lips - Rebel by Mac

Hair colour by Keshini Moodley - Instagram @kesh_206
Hair by Sawleha Hansa - Instagram @glamhairdontcare
Photography by Pagiel Chetty - www.pagielchetty.co.za / Instagram @pagielchetty

Taxi

I'm starting to feel a little burnt out! This year has been quite a strenuous year for me, however very productive, so I can't complain. With the year nearing it's end, I still have a few goals I wish to achieve even though all I want is a long vacay to a tropical island. Ive been watching some of my snapper friends on holiday and I am feeling major envy!

This shoot was quite fun for both Pagiel and I. It was very impromptu as I didn't really have an idea in mind. Even with the look, I just pulled whatever matched and used it. We started off at Point Road, outside The Chairman. The derelict building served as the perfect backdrop for this look as I wanted the juxtaposition of elegant and casual, which is also evident in the look itself. 

After a few shots, as we were heading back to the car - Pagiel suggested I do a hitchhike pose which then lead to his "lets shoot with the taxis" suggestion. I was keen as I have never been in a taxi before (I strongly suggest everyone try it at least once since it is such a big part of our South African culture). So there we were, speaking to the resting taxi driver, with his feet on the dashboard, he agreed to let us take a few snaps after a tiny bit of persuasion. Oddly enough, the taxi driver was quite excited about this shoot. He even helped me out with a few poses and showed me the different signals for each location, not that I remember, but it was amusing nonetheless. I suppose it was worth compromising his afternoon snooze!

Pants - Splash Dubai // Denim Shirt - Forever 21 // Cutout Heels - Schutz // Rose Gold Bangle - Swarovski // Lips - 'Rebel' by Mac

Photography: Pagiel Chetty - www.pagielchetty.co.za

Instagram: @pagielchetty

No Grey Zone

It was rather fortuitous that I selected these images  for this week's post for the reason that it best describes my current mood. Maybe it's the universe or perhaps it's close to 'that time of the month' but everyone and everything seems to be annoying me. It doesn't help that the end of the year is nearing and I still have so much I wish to achieve! I'm torn between focusing on work or spending the day at the beach - Durban's weather has been all sorts of lovely this week. 

I'm an all or nothing person, whether it's work or play, therefore I'm always on either end of the spectrum; never in between. Right now I am so lazy to even get off my couch. All my tasks (which on a regular day would take up to one hour max) are taking me forever to complete. I'm pretty certain that there has to be some sort of astronomical explanation for my inertia.

What I'm Wearing:

I mentioned in my last post that I purchased a few items from Charles and Keith, the boots being one of them. I wasn't certain about getting them because you know, the hot weather... But they're my new favourite shoes. They're soft and comfortable enough to go a whole day in them and surprisingly, I don't feel hot in them. The white cross-over top is from River Island. I bought it on sale in Johannesburg when I visited my sister a few months back. The black denims are from Woolworths which I purchased for work but since donning them, I could wear them every day. They provide just the right amount of stretch to make them comfortable enough to wear through the day. The black Jacket with silver chord detail was purchased from H&M in Kuala Lampur. I needed to get away from everyone and be alone for a bit so I went shopping... Needless to say, my alone-time was fruitful.

The sunglasses were a real bargain! I bought them from Sunglass Hut in Cape Town. It was my last day in the Cape and I thought I'd spend whatever money I had left. I spotted a sale sign in the window and went in. Little did I know they were having a sale to bring feet into the store. The entire store got flooded so naturally there was a strong damp smell in the air. Once I saw the price of these Tom Ford  glasses the store smelled like fresh daisies to me. I really like the way these sunnies shape my face as well as the dark lens for when I'm not in the mood to interact with anyone. The Swarovski bangle was a gift to myself after a very long time. I had eyed this bangle for some time before I finally made the purchase! 

White Blouse - River Island // Black Denims - Woolworths // Black Jacket - H&M // Necklace - Lovisa // Sunglasses - Tom Ford at Sunglass Hut // Boots - Charles and Keith // Bangle - Swarovski

Photography - Pagiel Chetty.  www.pagielchetty.com

Henna by Zakiyya. Follow her on Instagram @zakiyya_hennaart

Basic

I collaborated with an awesome photographer, Pagiel Chetty, for this shoot. We met through a mutual friend and hit it off ever since. I was super keen to work with him and finally, after weeks of rearranging our schedules, got the chance to work together. We did a couple shots in his studio which is situated at 21 Churchill Road and then took to the streets for another look. It was my first opportunity to shoot in studio for the blog and I'm glad to say I thoroughly enjoyed working with him, for the most part, because he makes the client feel so comfortable in front of the camera. Before we commenced I warned him that I am camera shy and have no model - like instincts, however, much to my surprise - he brought out my inner Tyra Banks. 

I have been meaning to do a shoot like this forever! My blogger inspirations have all done a shot like this and as much as I prefer to do my own thing and create my own looks, I really wanted a couple shots like these. I kept the clothes simple to match the style of the shoot.

What Im Wearing: Since the look of this shoot is basic, I kept the clothes basic as well. I'm sure you must have seen various versions of these shots on all the other blogger's Instagram accounts. Most of them do a plain white over-sized shirt which looks like they've raided their boyfriend's closet. I chose a pastel pink shirt as we are on the cusp of Spring and pastels are all the rage right now. All of the items chosen for this look have a slight androgynous feel to them. I prefer masculine cuts as I think it better suits my personality. The leather studded biker jacket is from Mango which I purchased overseas and the snakeskin skaters are from Zara. The pink shirt is actually a man's shirt from Topman.

Pastel Shirt - Topman // Leather Jacket - Mango // Black Tights - Woolworths // Snakeskin Skater Shoes - Zara //

Hair by Sawleha Hansa - Instagram: @sawlehahansa

Photography by Pagiel Chetty - www.pagielchetty.co.za - Instagram: @pagielchetty

Red Herring

I have just commenced with my third week of dieting and I'm happy to report that it has been going pretty well! the headaches have disappeared however the sugar cravings are still very much present.

 Last week I treated myself to a facial from Skinsation. We did a normal deep cleanse as well as a sebum clearing masque which really helped with my sensitivity and redness. The primary active ingredient is Salicylic Acid which is known to control breakouts. There is a tingling sensation on application which subsides eventually. My skin looked and felt better immediately after the Masque - I did post a picture of my skin on Snapchat so follow me if you aren't following me. This treatment is especially good for those who suffer from breakouts.

What I'm wearing: When I put this look together, I never really thought about it but looking at the picture now, I realised that none of these items were purchased in my hometown. The black diamond stitch cardigan was purchased in Istanbul, Turkey from a local store. I can't remember the name of the store. All I remember was walking past the store and hearing a really awesome song. My sister and I went into the store to Shazam the song (not that I remember what song it was) and walked out with this cardigan and a few other items. The snakeskin jumpsuit is from Topshop, purchased in the UK. It was a gift from a dear friend. The gold mesh belt is from Mango in Johannesburg. The red platform heels are from Topshop - purchased in Dubai. I had to have a pair of platforms when the trend resurfaced, I searched everywhere for a pair and finally found them in Topshop. They looked amazing in the store but I feel like the Leaning Tower of Pisa in them. The style is awesome and so is the colour however, I think my preference has since evolved. I felt like a giant when I wore them for this photoshoot so I just gave them to someone more deserving of them. The clutch is from Jimmy Choo but actually from a friend's closet so I'm not too sure of its origin.

Cardigan - Istanbul // Jumpsuit - Topshop // Belt - Mango // Platform Heels - Topshop // Clutch Bag - Jimmy Choo 

Hair by Sawleha Hansa - 0825088414 // Photography by Hanna Mahomed

Skinsation: 0828384608 / www.skinsation.co.za

New Beginnings

It's been ages! I was in hibernation for the past month mainly due to Ramadan - the fasting month. I paused certain aspects of my daily routine to focus on my spiritual side. It was such a beautiful and spiritually uplifting period for me. I'm hoping to remain steadfast in my attempts. 

It's been so long I feel like I forgot how to write. I've been so lazy recently. I suppose it happens to everyone during Ramadan, however it is time to get back to my routine and start exercising again! I'm going to be following the fitness e-books by Rushda Moosajee of Glow Women's Physique in Cape Town. I've been following Rushda for some time now, especially on the Snap (I love her snaps), and she is a real inspiration! Her exercise routines are simple but effective - perfect for gym novice's or those who aren't confident to workout alone. I'm starting on Monday so catch me on Snapchat @zaida_omar I'll be documenting my fitness journey on the snap (hopefully this will motivate me to stick to a diet and workout plan). You can find more information on www.rushtush.co.za for online e-books or if you're in Cape Town pop on over to her studio and Get Yo' Life!!!!   

What I'm Wearing: For this look I actually recycled some classics. My boots were a birthday gift to myself about two years ago. These Aldo boots are genuine leather which looks better as it wears in.  The black beaded jersey, from H&M is actually an open-front cardigan which I wore back to front - I like personalise my pieces or wear them in unconventional ways. This faux fur gilet, from Legit was purchased for a styling job but I ended up keeping it for myself. 

Hair by Sawleha Hansa | Photography by Hanna Mahomed

Fur Gilet - Legit // Beaded Cardigan - H&M // Belt - Guess // Jeans - Stradivarius // Boots - Aldo