Glass half full

While skipping around cyber space this evening, I came across this awesome little web clipping on a site called Momtrepreneur (which I also blog for every now and again). With tomorrow being manic murderous monstrous freaking Monday again, I figured we could all do with a free positive thought. So print this out, slap it on your fridge, clip one off in the morning and, in the words of the great Mr Marley, don't worry be happy.

Simply Data web copy 2012

I recently wrote the copy for a website by Yorkhill Design, called Simply Data. Even though I burnt the midnight oil quite late on this project, I learned a lot a lot a lot about data in the process. Both these companies are amazing in their respective fields, so be sure to check them out.

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On Tap blog posts

Just a couple of examples of the many many daily blog posts I wrote for On Tap while working at Tomcat... Click the titles to read more.

In the Pipeline at On Tap Bellville

On Tap Welcomes new German Brand

Online On Tap Convenience

Casual Fridays for a Serious Cause

Perdeberg Wines blog posts

Click the title of each picture to check out some examples of blog posts I wrote for Perdeberg Wines while employed at Tomcat.

Perdeberg proves their stripes

 

Perdeberg gets in the Zone

 

Perdeberg Merlot gets a High Five

 

Perdeberg at ELLE New Talent Awards

When in doubt, buy marshmallows

So tonight I'm playing hostess for our church group. For an after dinner treat, I decided to bake cupcakes from scratch. OK, that's a lie. Let's just say I had a little help from Snowflake. Nudge-nudge, wink-wink. Anyhoo, when it came to icing the "homemade" lovelies I encountered a slight hiccup: Making icing is such a mission! OK, that's a lie too. I'm actually forbidden by law to make icing from scratch for as long as my brother and I share a flat, putting him at risk of getting stuck with the dishes. That's when I remembered a little golden tip a friend of mine once let me in on at a braai: After the cupcakes come out the oven, place a marshmallow on top and put it back in for a couple of seconds. And that my dear friends, is exactly what I did...

(Excuse the poor quality pics. My camera is still at my... Oh no wait, that's a story for another time.)

Was it successful? Heck, who knows! We'll let the troops decide tonight.

Bruilof: Episode 7 - The Entourage

As I mentioned before, I scripted for an Afrikaans TV series called Bruilof. Here's an insert on the bridesmaids and grooms men by BonTon.

Project Home Office - Complete!

I recently did a blogpost for a client on interesting and creative home office ideas, and I must say - browsing through the pretty, magical and inspiring pictures on Pinterest was simply... depressing. Sitting on my stupid chair at my stupid desk with my stupid bookshelf and stupid pencil case, all I really wanted at that moment was a Pinterest office. And that's when a light bulb materialised above my head (for real). There and then I made the decision to put some effort into my own little home office and really make it a space that makes me WANT to put bum on seat and work, work, work. 

Like everything in my life, this is and will always remain a work in progress - after all, isn't there always something prettier out there? But here's where my little work nook is at right now...

 

 

• Rose pink backdrop: Woolies gift wrap on a polystyrene pin board.
• Wooden & and m cut-outs: Typo
• Table: Second-hand store
• Bookshelf and brown ottoman: Gumtree (for super cheap!)
• Tea cup: Gran's kitchen cupboard
• Metal case: Make-up case from Clicks
• Room divider: Secondhand frame covered with Mr Price table runners
• White frame, Black box frame and Mirror: Found in the garage - broken and chipped - fixed up and painted by myself. 
• Little brown suitcase: Present from my mom for my 5th birthday.

PS. Chuck your chair and buy a nice fat ottoman! Great for posture and deliciously comfy, trust me. Cheerio for now!

Call it a Catastrophe

I'm blogging about cats. I am blogging... about cats. Oh, the shame. How on earth did it come to this? Well, it's Sunday, I'm blue, and I miss my cat.

FYI: According to the Online Feline Humour Complaints Commision every blogger is allowed one cat blogpost during the course of their blogging career. Any blogger in violation of this code will be prosecuted and sentenced to a four day baked bean-and-cheese diet. True Story.

 

 

Hang tight, bloggums - it can only get better from here.

Trou Inspirasie: Celebrity Weddings

Now and again on Trou Inspirasie we do a feature on a celebrity wedding. Here are links to two articles I recently wrote:

Angelique + Ben-G { Clara, 7de Laan }

Hildegardt + Kuba { Bonita, 7de Laan }

Trou Inspirasie blogposts

I've been blogging for the Afrikaans wedding inspiration site Trou Inspirasie for almost a year now, and recently took on its English sister site Celebration as well. So I figured, it's about time I put together a little list of my personal favourite posts:

Span die Seile { Seevaart tema }

Die Bruid en die Braai

Onthou-die-Datum Kaartjies { Bewoording }

 

Eendbekkies { Oulike Ysbrekertjies }

 

Piekniek met Pizzaz

 

Orgidiee { Sag + Elegant }

 

Suid, Wes, Oos Bes {Chinese Tema }

Skoffel in die Skuur

 

Kiekie Kaskenades

 

Alice in Wonderland

 

Denim wou sy Dra

 

Bolletjieblom! { Craspedia Inspirasie }

 

Trouklokkies + Doudruppels

Bruilof Website Copy 2012

While scripting the SA television show Bruilof, I was also in charge of writing web content and press releases (Afrikaans and English) for the show. Also, check out a couple of sneak peaks here: Candy buffet / guest favours.

 

Bruilof English Press Release 2012

Here comes Bruilof!

Bruilof is the brand new lifestyle programme that shines the spotlight on South Africa’s world class wedding industry. In the first season presenters Louise de Nysschen and Jacinda Louw-Schutte visit some of the country’s most breathtaking and sought-after venues – from the Cape winelands to the west coast and beyond. Strutting killer heels and unfaltering confidence, they prance around the world of wedding planning, investigating the latest décor trends, trying on designer wedding gowns and peeping through the camera lenses of the country’s top photographers and videographers. Bruilof showcases some of the industry’s leading experts, tapping into valuable advice and aiding the engaged couple in planning their perfect wedding day down to the finest detail. 

The pilot episode airs on the 7^th of August on KykNet in which Louise visits the studio of acclaimed wedding dress designer Elizabeth Stockenstrom, trying on some of her timeless creations. Co-presenter Jacinda meets up with Uwe Koeter’s Johan Louw to find the perfect engagement ring and gains expert tips on avoiding costly mistakes. Photographer Christine Meintjies trades her position behind the camera for a seat in the limelight to discuss the various facets of wedding photography, while Jacinda indulges in a slice of Kanya Hunt’s decadent Belgian Chocolate wedding cake – almost too pretty to eat, but just too tempting to resist. Financial guru Anria van Heerden shares valuable budgeting tips and the episode concludes in the breathtaking vineyards of Webersburg wine estate – one of the wineland’s most precious gems and a favourite among brides and grooms to be. 

The show is the brainchild of director Dewet van Rooyen and his team at Mandelbrot Studios, the idea conceived from the many years of experience in wedding videography and closets full of magnificent wedding footage begging to be aired for the world to see. Originally planned as an English series called Down the Aisle, the panel at MNet was blown away by the idea and immediately saw an opportunity to turn it into the only Afrikaans show of its kind. Couples in the midst of planning their wedding will also recognise the name of the main sponsor: Trou Inspirasie – an initiative of Celebration.co.za and the world’s first Afrikaans wedding inspiration site.

Meet the Presenters...

JacindaLouw-Schutte

Jacinda is a well-known face on South African television, magazine covers and catwalks. Over the last couple of years she’s made appearances in ‘Kwêla’, ‘Pasella’, ‘Om die Wereld’, Morning Live and Top Billing, among others, and until recently presented the Ladies of the Links insert on Ultra Simple Golf on Supersport 1. In 2006 she made it all the way to the final round of Survivor SA and proved that she’s without a doubt more than just a pretty face. Along with her knowledge on married life and parenthood, Jacinda is certainly a priceless addition to the Bruilof team.

Louise de Nysschen

Louise made her first appearance on the big screen as Jesse, the naive rich girl in the Afrikaans movie ‘Liefling’. Once the film bug got sunk its claws into her heart, it wouldn’t let go and soon after she found herself behind the scenes of Bakgat 2 as marketing coordinator. Next she ventured onto TV screens as Katja Steenkamp in the popular soap Generations where she worked for 8 months before marrying her best friend. On return from her honeymoon she walked straight into the Bruilof auditions and received the happy tidings within mere hours of auditioning. 

Anria van Heerden

Anria made her TV debut in the KykNet series ‘Reise en Soetkyse’ and viewers will recognise her as the chic and adventurous biker chick that makes a weekly appearance on ‘Woema. In 1998 Anria started her own financial practice and has been happily married for the past 13 years. In season 1 of Bruilof she shares valuable advice for the wedding day and married life, and both engaged and married couples are sure to benefit from her financial insight. 

Hannes Loubser

Hannes Loubser is the Creative Director of Wedding Concepts and a giant in the wedding industry. Since joining this internationally recognised team of wedding coordinators, Hannes has become one of the most sought after wedding planners in the industry. After thoroughly impressing the Bruilof team during an insert for Wedding Concepts, he was asked to join the show as guest presenter for the remainder of the season.

Bruilof starts 7 Augustus 2012 at 21:30 on KykNet (channel 111).

Bruilof Afrikaans Press Release 2012

Die Trouklokke Klink op KykNet

Bruilof is die splinternuwe leefstyl program wat Suid-Afrika se wêreldklas trouindustrie onder die vergrootglas plaas. In die eerste seisoen besoek aanbieders Louise de Nysschen en Jacinda Louw-Schutte asemrowende en gesogte venues in die hartjie van die wynland, aan die weskus en regoor ons pragtige land. In hul hemelhoë hakke loop hulle die trouwêreld plat en bestudeer die jongste dekor neigings, kry nuttige wenke by die industrie se top troubeplanners, paradeer in sprokiesagtige trourokke rond en help so bruidspare om hul volmaakte troudag tot in die fynste detail te beplan.

In die loots-episode wat op 7 Augustus op KykNet begin speel, kuier Louise by bekroonde trourok ontwerper Elizabeth Stockenstrom se ateljee en bewonder van die besonderse skeppings in haar vertoonvenster. Mede-aanbieder Jacinda gesels met Uwe Koeter se Johan Louw oor verloofringe en deel wenke wat duur foute kan voorkom. Christine Meintjies verruil haar plek agter die kamera vir ‘n kolletjie in die kalklig langs Louise om die moets en moenies van troufotografie te bespreek, terwyl Kanya Hunt ‘n verskeidenheid van haar ryk en dekadente troukoeke ten toonstel – amper te mooi om te eet, maar net te aanloklik vir Jacinda om te weerstaan. Finansiële guru Anria van Heerden deel 'n paar goue begrotingswenke en die program sluit af by Webersbrug – een van die wynland se pêrels en ‘n gewilde venue onder bruidspare en troubeplanners.

Die reeks is die breinkind van regisseur Dewet van Rooyen en sy gedugte span by Mandelbrot Studios. Die idee is gebore uit jare se ervaring in trouvideografie en kaste vol argiefmateriaal. Toe Bruilof oorspronklik as ‘n Engelse reeks, ‘Down the Aisle’, aan MNet voorgelê is, was die paneel stomgeslaan en is dit daar en dan besluit dat die reeks op KykNet uitgesaai sal word – die enigste Afrikaanse program in sy soort. Paartjies wat ‘n troue beplan sal ook dadelik die naam van die hoofborg herken: Trou Inspirasie – ‘n Afrikaanse trouwebtuiste wat bruide idees vir hul mooiste dag gee, in hul moedertaal. 

Ontmoet die aanbieders…

Jacinda Louw-Schutte

Jacinda is ‘n bekende gesig op Suid-Afrikaanse televisie, tydskif-voorblaaie en loopplanke. Oor die afgelope jare het sy TV-verskynings gemaak op programme soos Kwêla, Pasella, Om die Wêreld, Morning Live en Top Billing en was tot onlangs ‘n aanbieder op Ultra Simple Golf op Supersport 1. Toe sy in 2006 die eindrondte van Survivor SA haal, het sy deur en deur bewys sy is veel meer as net ‘n beeldskone gesiggie, en met genoegsame huweliks- en ouerskap kennis in haar aktetas, is Jacinda beslis ‘n kosbare aanwins vir die Bruilof-span.

Louise de Nysschen

Louise het haar deurbraak tot die filmindustrie gemaak met haar rol as die naïewe rykmansdogter Jesse in die Afrikaanse rolprent Liefling. Hier het die filmgogga haar stewig beet gepak en so is sy agter die skerms van Bakgat 2 in as bemarkingskoördineerder. Die volgende keep op haar kerfstok was die rol van Katja Steenkamp in die gewilde TV-sepie Generations. In 2012 het sy die knoop met haar heel beste vriend deurgehaak, en met terugkeer van haar wittebrood het sy feitlik reguit van die vliegtuig op die Bruilof stel geklim.

Anria van Heerden

Anria het haar TV debuut in Reise en Soetkyse gemaak en is deesdae bekend as die sjiek en avontuurlustige motorfietsmeisie op KykNet se Woema. Anria besit al sedert 1998 haar eie finansiële adviseurs praktyk en is al vir 13 jaar gelukkig getroud. In seisoen 1 van Bruilof deel sy kosbare insigte en advies vir die troudag en haar finansiële kennis is sonder twyfel iets waarby bruidspare asook getroude paartjies sal baat vind.

Hannes Loubser

Hannes Loubser is die Kreatiewe Direkteur van Wedding Concepts en ‘n reus in die trou-bedryf. Sedert hy in 2007 by díe internasionaal bekende trou-koördinerings maatskappy aangesluit het, het hy ‘n wêreld se kennis in gepalm en spoedig sy pad oopgewerk tot een van die mees gesogte troubeplanners in die industrie. Na hy in sy hoedanigheid as Wedding Concepts se trou-guru die Bruilof span vir ‘n ses geslaan het, is hy gevra om gasaanbieder te speel vir die res van die seisoen.

Bruilof word vanaf 7 Augustus 2012 om 21:30 op KykNet (kanaal 111) uitgesaai.

Bruilof: Episode 6 - Guest Favours

As I mentioned before, I'm scripting for an Afrikaans TV series called Bruilof. Here's an insert on guest favours by Aleit.

Bruilof: Episode 5 - The Candy Buffet

As I mentioned before, I scripted an Afrikaans TV series called Bruilof. Here's an insert on candy buffets by La Fete.

Celebration blogposts

I'm currently a blogger for Celebration (and its sister site Trou Inspirasie) - here are links to a couple of my favourites:

I Scream, You Scream

Somewhere over the Rainbow

The Merry Berry

Mini Me

Brace Yourself

 

Holy Mmmacaroons! 

Tie the Knot

Mint, Lemon & Gold

A Match made in Heaven

Dolly it up with Doilies