Whoa 2014! You were one crazy jallopy of a ride and I am I glad to finally unsaddle you and put a new saddle on the young mare named 2015. I hope the new year is a gentle, easy and enjoyable year with many more highlights than lowlights. The past year was honestly one of the toughest years of my life, and although I am not going into details about everything, I have had to battle many personal challenges., such as loss, cancer, BEING MARRIED, finances (who doesn't battle finance?). Many of these challenges will continue into the new year, but it should be easier.

But despite all these awful and harrowing lows, I still had some really high highs!

 I recounted our visit to Van Gaalen Cheese Farm in Hartbeespoortdam and we visited the Mabalingwe Nature Reserve.

Although we didn't travel during the month of love, I did show you how to make your own bunting and how to lose weight in an office environment. Further, I recounted our visit to the Hartbeespoortdam Cable Cars, and told you a story of an old struggling man. I gave a mouse a bath, gave tips for travelling on a strict budget, went to Kaapsehoop, went to the Fourways Farmer's Market, Queen street in Kensington, and spent a weekend in Irene, Pretoria and celebrated our first MARRIED anniversary.



 May 2015 have many highlights for you and your family and may you be blessed with an abundance of love and joy!

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Pic: jakfruit.tumblr.com

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The Sun House guide to a Romantic Bedroom

I'm a bit of a romantic. An undying, hopeless one at that. While I like most areas of my life to be simple, my decor, my dress sense, my no-fuss hair, I do love a bit of a romantic side of life and I love being spoilt by intricate, well-planned events or presents (Dear Flip, are you listening?). And well, what better place to show your romantic side than the bedroom!

No, I'm not talking about Victoria's Secret Lingerie, or rose petals leading up to the bed or even banana hammock *wink*, but fairy lights. I think it is the easiest, most simple way to create the most romantic space in your house. And a bedroom is supposed to be romantic!

The easiest and most fuss-free way to create this idyllic atmosphere is through lighting. Dim the lights, light some scented candles, and hang a curtain from the roof with some fairylights behind it. I love how beautiful it makes the room and that it truly look like something from a fairytale. It also ties in nicely with Christmas just being around the corner.

If the do-it-yourself process of hanging a curtain from the roof is a bit daunting, simply drape the fairylights over a mirror. Everyone has a mirror in their bedroom.

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Fairylights images: 1/2/3
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Invest in the nicest bedding ever. You spend almost 229 961 hours of your life sleeping, so why not do it in luxurious Egyptian cotton with 5 000  threads - or whatever? You don't have to buy it every month, but you should invest in it at least once in your life. A headrest - or a proper bed - is also something that should also be considered. Having some nice threads on your bed instantly makes it more inviting and as a result, more romantic.

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Bedding image
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Ban all technology from your bedroom! Yes, it is tempting to put a tv in there, but I feel so sorry for women who tell me they have a tv in their bedroom. This is your private, safe space - not the living room. There is no bigger romance killer than a television that steals your husband's time. And having a laptop in bed might be convenient - workwise - but rather leave your work for working hours.

Make it pretty with plants and pictures. I love succulents, and my entire house is filled with the beautiful little plants. Group them together on a nightstand or arrange them on a windowsill. Make the space your own. Print out your wedding pictures,  your engagement shoot or your pregnancy shoot - all those little intimate little moments between you and your spouse and arrange them on the walls.

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Succulents image
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I read a few articles before writing this one, and one of the most prominent tips was to keep your bedroom clutter free. I know all of us ladies are so guilty of stacking everything on the night table, or letting our hairdryer lie around. If you're anything like me, you also have heaps of washing scattered all over the floor. Make it a new year's resolution to keep your bedroom clutter free. Your husband will thank you for it - and you will thank yourself for creating a more serene environment.

If he leaves wet towels all over the place, pick it up, spin it a few times and whip him on the butt. He won't leave wet towels again.