5 Happy Healthy Snack Ideas

I've been trying really hard to be good as of recently, because summer is around the corner y'all, and all that comfort food hasn't exactly friendly on my growing love handles (cue dude eye-roll). 

But between work and play, who has time to slow-cook an organic turkey breast while whipping up a homemade pesto with a list of ingredients that's as long as my cell phone bill? So instead I've been experimenting with quick and healthy combinations that aren't half bad on waist or palate:

Apple, plain fat free yogurt, cinnamon and sweetener.
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Hummus (the roast pepper variant is divine!) with baby carrots or uncooked mushrooms.
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Egg baked in a red pepper "basket" and topped with avo.
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Cooked chickpeas and tuna with any type of herb, vegetable or a dash of olive oil if the cupboard's empty.

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Crackerbread topped with fat free cottage cheese and a slice of smoked turkey or roast beef.
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Ya, I know it's not exactly rocket science, but it does the job and keeps me chirpy. 'Cause if there's one thing I can't stand about dieting, it's the constant "I'm so hungry I could eat my keyboard" feeling - happy tummy, happy camper!

Currently Obsessed ♥

Just some of the pretties that I've been splurging on (way too much) lately, and which I've now banned myself from buying.

Hair bows!

Patterned Stockings

Oversized shirts over leggings

Happy nails

For picture references, check my Pinterest board.

Anywhere but Here

I can literally think of 20 places I'd rather be right now, on this glorious Friday:

Revlon article for Celebration.co.za

Celebration.co.za recently tasked me with the job of writing an article on Revlon's first ever South African brand ambassador, Bonang Matheba - and (happy days!) Revlon head office approved my wordsmanship without even the tiniest hiccup. Check it out here ♥

Women24 - featured!

This morning I discovered that one of the blog posts I'd written for Celebration had been reposted by the lovelies at Women24 - the female lifestyle section of News24. Isn't it fun when that happens?

Read the full article on Women24 here

...or read the Celebration one here ♥

From Herdbuoys to Hg80 - Rebranding

We recently rebranded the ad agency where I'm currently working - here are a couple of copy snippets that I contributed to this momentous occasion ♥

Relaunch Poster

Say what? You can't read that? Well, here you go then:

Herdbuoys is history.

We are now Hg80.

A full-service through-the-line communications agency, now trading under a new name that conveys the true nature, value, versatility and calibre of the services we offer. With this name change comes new possibilities, new challenges and new heights, so buckle up.

Hg80 is the modern chemical symbol for Mercury. This highly potent element, named after the Roman patron god of communication and commerce, is renowned for its adaptability, speed and mobility.

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New Website

To view all copy and pages, click here.

Wedding Videographer in the Making

A couple of months ago, le boyfriend asked me to play assistant videographer at a beautiful wedding in the George countryside. Having watched a LOT of wedding videos (while researching my daily Celebration and Trou Inspirasie blog posts), I felt rather chuffed to go behind the scenes to shoot for myself and act all "camera-chick-like".

Having apparently not made too much of a flippetyflop on this first one, I've since been fortunate enough to tag along on quite a few other wedding video shoots - all coming soon. For now, hope you enjoy Jaco and Charlene's beautifully edited wedding video, by the extraordinarily talented (promise I'm not being biased here =) Storyboard Productions ♥

Jaco + Charlene from Storyboard Productions on Vimeo.

Monday Survival Kit

Don't get me wrong - I love public holidays, but having two "Mondays" in the space of four days, really pops my bubble. Here are a few tips for turning crappy into happy:

• Google a funny word! Not only will you crack a smile every time it comes to mind, you'll broaden your vocabulary in the process. You're welcome, SA school system.
• Invest in a bottle of bubbles! There's nothing more soothing than blowing a soap bubble and watching it drift weightlessly through the air.
• Look at a cupcake. They're so cute, you only really need to see one to feel the glow of happiness in your heart. Joy, minus the calories. (If it's a really bad day, eat it. Just eat it.)

• Breathe deeply. Not in a psycho killer kind of way, well, unless client service phone you for 17th time and psycho breathing makes you feel better.
• Pull faces while brushing your teeth. It wakes you up, ignites a smile and makes oral hygiene rather interesting. 
• Paint your nails a bright colour. I did this for the first time today and every time I look down at my crookedly painted sunshine yellow tips, I can't help but crack a smile.

• Start a Monday ritual - invest in a special tea or coffee or tin of biscuits or ANYTHING that's reserved for Mondays - it has to be so delicious, you'll be willing to trade a Friday for a Monday.
• Ask an English (non-Afrikaans) colleague to say something in Afrikaans. Really, this always makes my day.
• Find your Monday tune. Whether it's current or as old as the Stonehenge, find that tune that just brings a smile to your face and hum it (in your mind. Please.) This is mine: 

• Buy something - anything! I save most of my happy purchases for Mondays. Whether I need new mascara, a mug, a new dress for an occasion - it all happens on a Monday.
• Cause destruction. Shred old paper, crush an empty tin, smash a glass jar - it's a great relief and you're spring cleaning in the process!
• Draw a funny hand puppet thing on your hand.

• Spray a really happy scented perfume on your wrist - one that reminds you of meadows and dew drops and baby's breath and rainbows. When you feel down, take a whiff!
• Facebook message a BUNCH of people late the night before. Come manic Monday morning, your day will be brightened by the sporadic responses.
• Make someone else's day. There's no greater feeling than putting a smile on someone's face, so whether you make a cup of tea or send a funny pic - do what it takes to see some teeth!

Things that make you go "Aww"

I don't get gushy often, only on Fridays ♥

WARNING: This post contains pictures of baby kittens. And puppies and bunnies and all sorts of cute. Not suitable for the stone-hearted.

  

  

  

 

 

 

Happiest of Fridays to you all, jelly beans! ♥