Pascal - Paper Skies

This is the PERFECT song to start the weekend. Oh... and its South African ;)

 (source)

Weekend Links

Just stopping by to say a quick hello and share some funny/pretty/fun/delicious things from around the internet:

What will you fill your home with?

A ring for her and a ring for him (and one for any guy who has trouble remembering those important dates)

Ever wanted to live inside a romance novel?

A sign to sing about
Earl Grey Cupcakes
I am a cat lover... and this picture is made of happiness (source)
I WANT, WANT, WANT this dress!
I have recently discovered the Gordon Ramsay Cook With Me application for iPad (Thanks V and M) and can't wait for winter to arrive so I can make these
Perfect, pretty pink picnic
Funny bunny 
Are you a fan of the Beastie Boys? No...? What about Will Ferrel, Jack Black, Ted Danson, Elijah Wood, John C. Reilly or Seth Rogan?

One of my favourite posters/ prints. So inspirational. Typography = <3

(source)

Thou Shalt Not Skip Breakfast

I am ashamed. I regularly skip breakfast. I know I shouldn't- but its a time thing (excuses, excuses... I know...) Breakfast (when it does actually happen for me) usually consists of a hot cup of tea (which ends up being really cold by the time I get around to drinking it), and if I have time... a breakfast bar or a slice of toast. Boring- I know.

365 days of breakfast is absolutely delicious! If you like food (like I do) or need some breakfast inspiration (like I do) or if you just love looking at pretty pictures (like I do) then this site is for you. Have a look and enjoy.

*Disclaimer- do not visit this site when hungry- your stomach will not be happy with you!

An Ode to the Mix Tape

Does anyone remember the movie High Fidelity? You know - the movie where John Cusack, a record store owner, lists everything, including his last five breakups. He talks music, relationships, maturity and commitment (with a few pearls of wisdom - and some 'slamming' dance moves from Jack Black).

I haven't seen the movie in a while, but it has left me wondering about a few things... things like- what happened to dating, what happened to romance, and most importantly... what happened to the mixtape?

Things just aren't the same anymore... maybe I am 'old school' (or just plain old) but while globalisation has brought us closer together, modernization and technological advancement has pulled us further apart. People don't really talk anymore, everything is about speed and convenience and no one knows how to express themselves.

We talk at each other instead of to each other, we don't listen, we breakup over sms, we order takeout because we couldn't be bothered to spend an hour in the kitchen cooking something cheaper (and most likely- healthier), we don't feel productive unless we are doing five things at the same time and we can't relax until we are doing nothing.

Which brings me back to the mixtape... creating a mixtape was a process, and the end result was art. Hours were spent choosing songs from records, CDs or in my case waiting for your favourite song to play on the radio (... oh- the shame!). It was about waiting, patience, perfection. No quick solutions, no instant gratification- just hard work- but it was worth it.

Joel Keller, in his 2004 article, "PCs killed the mix-tape star", talks about his experience:

"I miss the way I used to make mixes. I'd sit in front of my tape deck, with a stack of CDs or records on one side of me, and a beverage (adult or otherwise) on the other, and spend a couple of hours or more finding just the right combination of songs to put on the tape. The levels would all match; loud songs got softened and soft songs got a boost. I would attempt to take the mix right to the end of the tape; I'd spend over an hour finding that perfect minute-and-a-half song or snippet that would fit musically with the rest of the mix."

So today's version of the mixtape? An MP3 CD? Seriously? We drag a couple of songs into a burnlist, click a button and voila... a compilation is born? Sounds easy, but its just not the same. Its not a process... its a procedure. Drag. Click. Burn.

And who needs an MP3 CD when you have an iPod... forget 20 favourite songs, try 10,000 songs. 10,000 song you will NEVER listen to. So..? My suggestion? Find the 20 songs you will listen to, follow the rules... and then... then... make a mixtape (ok fine- a mix CD if you will)!

You might also want to read this or this, watch/listen to this and definitely look at this and this.

We're Back (For a bit)...

So September has come and gone and we have been M.I.A for more than a month! And what a month it has been!

Things have not quietened down just yet, so this is a very brief hello, but we will be back (for-good) around mid-October, and we will bring news, and even a few changes with us!

In the mean time- some links for you to enjoy:

These artworks by Sara Olmos are fantastically adorable (via decor8)
This image is captivating, a little vintage, a little ladylike and a little naughty (via dress, design & decor)
These shorts worn by The Cherry Blossom Girl (Alix) are full of femininity and fabulous gorgeousness. If you haven't already visited Alix's blog, you absolutely HAVE to! You won't be sorry! p.s where can we get a pair of these here in SA?
We are loving braids! And these braids featured on a Cup of Jo (with a how-to by Orchid Grey) are just too lovely
This collection of photographs (titled, 'Contents') is fascinating. Photographer Francois Robert asked friends, family and even random strangers to empty their pockets, bags and purses and let him photograph the contents. Check it out here (via WebUrbanist)

This 'Storm in a Teacup' was taken from Tea for Joy. Check it out here.