Gratitude turns what we have into enough

Yesterday I saw a lady running down the road I always take on my route home. She was about 45, a black lady, a domestic worker.

I stopped my car, mid-conversation with my mom on the phone, switched on my hazards and flung open my door. I thought she was late for her train, so I gave her a lift.

We had a conversation while driving her home - and I could hear that she was quite an educated lady. I really liked her. We spoke about her life; she has three kids - aged 26, 23 and 21 – all at college. “My little salary doesn’t really contribute enough to their education,” she says. I ask her about a spouse. “Never been married.” How about a boyfriend? “He passed away seven years ago. Committed suicide.”

She explained to me that she was running because the sun is setting earlier now and it’s getting dangerous for her to walk alone at night. I ask about her salary, if she gets transport money and she discloses. R1 800 a month. I see people spend that on a shirt in a day.

As I was driving out of the suburb with its massive houses, pristine gardens, the BMWs and Mercedes’s in their driveways, out of the plush lifestyle – where people can also easily spend R 1800 on a meal – I feel angry. Loathing.

As we move into the squalor of the Primrose squatter camp, I wonder if her employers have ever seen where she lives, if they see the absolute despair that hangs over this area like the anthracite smoke that pours from the large kettle drums - a necessity if you want to stay warm.

“I used to live with them, my employees, in a garden cottage. But then they started asking me to pay rent, electricity, and water – you know. I had to move out, I couldn’t afford it.”

I ask about her education. “I have a diploma in cooking, I went to a cooking school. I want to start my own baking business, maybe bake some wedding cakes, but the money is always a problem.”

I suggest that she starts small, perhaps with cupcakes and then build her business up. She agrees. I drop her off where she asks me too. “God bless,” she says and off she goes.

Driving back from the informal settlement, back to my plusher-than-hers life, I am grateful. Grateful for ambition and a strong mind, grateful that she is aiming for something better and trying to improve herself. I am grateful for the life I have and that I can use what I have to share with others.

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*Photo via We Heart It
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New name, new look

Hello everybody, hope this Tuesday is treating you swell! Or much better than its treating me, I feel a bit like an overloaded donkey at the moment.

Notice anything different? Well, I sure hope so, I changed the look AND NAME of SFL to The Sun House. The reasoning behind this is that I started the blog when I was still living in an apartment, on the second floor, but that only lasted for a year before I absolutely had to move to a little house with a garden so that I can have a pet, or two.

The story behind the name:

Flip and I currently live in a canary yellow house on Sun street. It only felt apt to change the name to The Sun House. And even if I paint the house grey, which I am planning on doing as soon as the wedding is over, I will still be living on Sun street.

I am also planning on making some changes to the house, which means that the blog will journey some of my DIY's and changes that are happening in every day life.

It's still the same blog, with the same old me, just with a different new look and feel. Also, since I am owned by a staffie, I thought that this would make a lovely touch to the look.

There will still be some ongoing changes, as a blogger's job is never done.

Bear with me while this is happening. Goodbye SFL, hello The Sun House.

I would love to know what you think of the new look.

Maiden Name winner

Winter is definitely upon us; well almost, and this weekend was mostly spent indoors, with the gas heater, blankets and Milo. I even got Mila a fancy - read kitsch - fleece jacket to keep her insulated against the cold. She loves it when I put it on her, and parades around the house like a little madame.

Jethro got a more rocker type jacket, a leather one, with a plush inside, but when I put it on him, it didn't fit. Oh well, I'll just have to swop it.

At least I can make one person warmer by announcing the winner of last week's Maiden Name competition. Drum roll please....

Congratulations Mineze! 

I used Random.org to sort through all the entries and this number 32 came up.

Thanks again to Maiden Name for hosting this lovely giveaway!

Fitness goes up a notch!

So Lady Luck pretty much loves me these days, so much so that we're going steady. 

She's totally smitten. 

Yesterday I was informed by one of the coolest blogs in South Africa, The Pretty Blog that I had won a whole month of bootcamping adventure from Adventure Bootcamp for Women. 

To put it elegantly, I was raving!

This is almost beyond perfect timing for me as we are approaching our colder months now, months in which I usually prefer to eat soup, drink red wine, move as little as possible, skip gym, watch movies, drink hot chocolate. . . you know, all those things that are counteractive to what a bride-to-be should be doing. 

But now, from the 22nd of April - MONDAY!, I will be gearing up - full steam ahead - to look like a princess on my wedding day by training extra dirty, while eating clean, of course. I'll even try and give a few updates on the progress I'm making. And if all goes great, I might even join the classes more permanently. {What am I saying! I'm probably going to chicken out!}

The ABC website states that by doing the bootcamp, I can expect results like 3-9cm decrease in the midsection; 2-6kg weight loss; 3-5% reduction in body fat; 25% increase in strength; 25% improvement in endurance; greatly improved posture and better relaxation.

 Those last two are extra important, because which bride-to-be wants to be stressed, and have bad posture? Not me.

Exercises include core conditioning, short distance running, muscular strength, jumping rope, circuit training, hiking, fitness kick boxing, Pilates, sports drills, obstacle courses and mat work that  targets specific areas that women need to work on. {You know, those niggling little areas on your tummy, on your thighs, maybe your back and definitely that little piece of flab on your arms}

 This four week outdoor fitness programme is definitely something I am looking forward to!

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*All photos via Adventure Bootcamp
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Georgie. B Pop Up Shop

Girls, I know we all adore a little fashion, and all the better if it's locally made. On Saturday, my friend Tracy and I joined a group of fashionable ladies for the first Georgie. B pop-up shop in Johannesburg.

The brand, which is curated by Christine Barrett from Cape Town, is described as a lifestyle inspired, ready to wear clothing brand deeply rooted into current and upcoming trends, quality and being unique with the exception of classic, must-have items designed with the modern women in mind.

To read a little about where the name came from, click here. 

It was so much fun to actually meet Johlet, a stunning lady I connected with through blogging. She opened her house as brand ambassador and wined and dined us while we were drooling over looking at the gorgeous pieces. Kudos to her beau for playing barman!

 

Yeah, that's me standing all weird in the middle. And the beautiful Johlet is the lady to my right.

Stocked by The Space; Sera Boutique; Urban Cherry Young Designers; Mungo & Jemima; 36 Boutiques and Sarie.com this brand is sure to take South Africa by storm.

To make it even more exciting, Johlet gave away a prize for the best dressed and added goodie bags to the mix. Girls love getting goodie bags.

Thanks Johlet for a great evening, I look forward to the next pop-up shop. 

Check out the Georgie. B facebook page for more info and updates.

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*All photos via MDK Photography
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Maiden Name {interview + giveaway}

The South African design front is exciting me more and more everyday! I love how talented the people are and I love sharing it with you. To prove that local is always the lekkerest, Ingrid Auret from Maiden Name shares her inspirations behind her creations, her love for design and what it's like to be your own boss.

In her own words Ingrid describes Maiden Name as - a business that was started with the hope that it will grow into a much-love shop and brand. Every product is hand painted and made with lots of love. Maiden Name pieces are all made to order and because it is handmade, might not be perfect, but each piece is slightly unique. 

Maiden Name consists of two categories, somethings for you - where you will find jewellery and accessories and somethings for your home - where you will find decor.

SFL also had a quick interview with Ingrid to find out about the person behind the brand.

Ingrid, design is booming in South Africa. Why did you start this business?  

 I always knew that the 8-5 desk job is not  for me, so after 2 years of doing the desk job thing as an exhibition  stand designer (which I absolutely hated!), an opportunity to do an  internship at a local decor magazine popped up and I grabbed it. 

It was very stressful to leave the comfort of a monthly salary, but I was only 23  with no expenses or responsibilities other than rent. I figured rather do  it now while I only have myself to worry about. After a month of interning  I got the opportunity to start doing freelance exhibition stand design
work for a company in Holland (very lucky!) So left the magazine and  started my freelance venture, very excited! 

I then also had time to pursue  my biggest dream of starting a product range (Maiden Name). I consider  myself very lucky and making very scary decisions, which turned out to be the best decisions I have made so far in my life. I am now excited about  'work' everyday and I also love exhibition design (which I am still doing freelance).

Not a lot of people have that kind of moxie to do their own thing. What are some of the challenges of being your own boss?

The biggest  challenge is definitely the financial aspect, it is very stressful! But that is all - other than that, being your own boss is great, if you are driven,  motivated and have enough self control to get up early (business hours)  and work till late (non business hours).

 You have to be willing to put in a  lot more hours than you get 'paid' for.

You create these amazing, handmade items. Where do you get your inspiration from?
am so inspired by any form of  design, and especially here in our own South Africa, we do it so well and  after a recent trip to Europe I learned that we are SO up there, if not better, at being designers and creatives! I am extremely proud of where  South Africans are at design wise. South Africa and South Africans inspire me.

Ditto! We have amazing talent in this country. What is your favourite colour to work with?
White white white!

White always stays stylish and modern and goes with anything. Although I  have a personal obsession with black at the moment, we just painted one of our walls black and I cannot stop smiling about it!

Black eh? Hope it's a chalkboard wall. So, what would you do if you won the lotto?
Buy myslef and the boyf a small,  old Victorian house in Tamboerskloof that we can renovate and make our  own. And then see the world, I would travel. It is worth so much more than any earthly belongings.

I am so in agreement with you. Traveling is one of the greatest things about life. But tell me, what has been your proudest moments since you started?
I was out for drinks with friends around the middle of last year, had to go to the loo and as I
entered another girl was leaving the bathroom. She paused, pointed at my  satchel and said: "That's Maiden Name".

I was so excited that someone in a  random place recognised the Maiden Name satchel!

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Ingrid was so awesome that she is giving away two of her stunning handcrafted items - a coathanger, which I am absolutely drooling over, and a to-die for bowl with a little kitten in it.

How to win:

(only mandatory entries)
*Like Maiden Name on Facebook
*Like Second Floor Living on Facebook and leave a comment to tell me that you have entered.

But wait, there's more:
(make sure to leave a comment for each entry, mkay?)
* Share this post on Facebook. Just click on the Facebook icon in the bar at the bottom of the page.
* Follow Maiden Name on Twitter
*Tweet about it - just click the Twitter icon in the bar at the bottom of the page.

 
May the best one win! Good luck!
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*All photos via Ingird Auret
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Bridesmaid style - the works

Today marks the start of the six month countdown to my wedding day. Six months seems like a lot, it is half a year, but it's very little in wedding speak. Besides working on my physique for the day, which I have been doing pretty damn hard, I am almost finished with all the planning.

The only things I need to sort out now are my bridesmaids' hair, dress, bouquet and shoes. 

And the cake.

But seeing as we are entering the cold season now, I'll have to wait for spring before I'll decide on the dresses. In the meantime, I'm oogling all the different styles out there. 

I'm quite drawn to natural, flowy dresses, 

but still don't have the faintest idea of what they are going to wear.

Here are some of my ideas.

What did your bridesmaids wear?

with the exception of a few pins found by searching on pinterest, 
most of these pics are from The Pretty Blog's pinterest boards

My succulent garden. And some gardening tips.

Today is such a gloomy day, we've had a few of these, with almost nonstop raining. But I shouldn't be complaining, I recently started revamping my garden a bit - so I should be thankful for the rain, it means less work for me. This revamp is exciting and if I had an unlimited budget, it would have been finished much earlier - the way 'impatient I' likes it.

Part of the revamp includes spreading some succulent love to pretty up my place. Do you know what the best things about succulents are? Well, come to think of it, there are a few.

1. You can steal them from other people's gardens. I am not advocating theft here, or crime - just greening the earth. Besides, succulents make little babies and grow very fast, so plucking a baby from a big succulent isn't stealing. Or am I just trying to soothe myself here?

2. Don't steal other plants people. It's wrong.

3. Succulents grow in harsh conditions. Ahem. I might be one of those people who sometimes forgets to water her plants for a few days. Ahem, weeks.

4. They grow like crazy. And they're pretty.

I took two succulents from a neighbour's outside garden a few months ago and planted it in a pot. It has grown so much that I had to plant it into another pot, which it outgrew quickly. This lead me to planting them into an open stump in my garden. This is the picture story. I mean, there's enough words already.

And now ladies and gentlemen, the stump that got succulated. 

Call the local press, the difference is big!

Also, I got by with a little help from my friends. Not. 

And don't look at the length of the grass. It got cut the next day.

He loves his damn blue ball.

Vovo Telo Bedfordview

Over the weekend, we were too lazy to cook food, or go and buy groceries. Also, I was a bit ill and didn't have an appetite, so we headed out to town in search for some grub and dropped in at quaint little bakery/coffeeshop Vovo Telo, only a few kilometres from our house.

I had a macchiato, in which I accidentally poured sweetener - it already had sugar in, while Flip had a humble old Coke. We both had poached eggs on a slice of rye toast. It was delicious. The shop also had freshly baked pastries that I would have eaten in an instant if I had not been ill. To sum it up, it was great! Enjoy a few photos from our visit, and if you ever see one, pop in! You'll be pleasantly surprised.

My favourite part about this Vovo Telo was all the bunnies. The shop manager told me that it wasn't just for Easter, but it was part of the shop's look and feel. I'm obsessed with bunnies! She also told me that the wire ones pictured below was bought from a street vendor close by. She lamented that wire art might disappear after a few years, but I think it's here to stay.