Weekend Learning's

The beautiful colours of autumn at the moment.

Loving these wintery weekends in Johannesburg. Not loving the cold so much. I must admit I like to be in bed the second the sun goes down. Its a lot warmer under the covers than out in the cold. This is what I learned this weekend;

• Great Dane is still one of my favourite places to go in town. Now that I've got some more souls to like it, I can go there more often, win!
• I'm so happy that I'm happy in my own skin. All these women addicted to diets and being thin, eat a pie for gods sake, life is too damn short not to eat cake… and lots of it.
• Grudges are a waste of perfect happiness. Laugh when you can, apologize when you should, and let go of what you can't change.
• I am totally addicted to Instagram. It is such fun. The fact that Coco can also follow her favourite bloggers is actually the real reason I love it, a real little window into the world of people I admire and appreciate.
• Always wear your invisible crown. No matter how many crooks try to knock it off, and trust me there are many Princesses.
• Just because it feels good, doesn't make it right.
• Bottega is still the best place to sit and feel the sun set on an autumn afternoon on the Parkhurst strip.
• Going to a church service after a (very) long time is an interesting experience. After all the church masses I went to, I still can sing all the songs and I know all the rituals. Do not ever for one second tell me I picked the wrong road of religion when I practiced so hard to love the one I was on.
• I like to drive, it clears my head and encourages me to practice my singing. Its not great but the highway seems to like it.
• "When a sense of dissatisfaction persists, that means it was placed there by God for one reason only: you need to change everything and move forward." - ALEPH
• Its hard but necessary to accept that the life you once knew is gone. But do not fret, the future is brighter than any shadow of the past you once left behind.
• One of Coco's favourite readers, Jess_Star19, summed up the rest of this week perfectly for me; "Hate to wish a single day away But I really can't wait till pay day!" Enjoy the week possums, get out there and dig, er… for um… turnips, What we see depends mainly on what we look for…

Xoxo

PS. Never ignore a person who loves you and cares for you…. one day you may realize you've lost the moon while counting the stars...

Someone will write me a poem one day... I hope.

Weekend Learning's

"Flowers are the sweetest things God ever made, and forgot to put a soul into." ~Henry Beecher

Hello, It is Wednesday again. Can you believe it babies? This weekend was a little different. I missed someone. I haven't missed someone who missed me back in so long. If the feelings are mirrored, the reflection is a smiling one. Here are some more points Coco learned;

• Do not play with someone else's emotions just because you're unsure of your own. 
• Sometimes you have to give up on people not because you don't care but because they don't. 
• When people see me lying down with my eyes closed and ask me; "are you sleeping?" I always want to reply; "NO of course not I'm training to die!" why do people ask these questions… *sigh.
• Every woman needs a man who will ruin their lipstick and not their mascara… prr. 
• "Most of the shadows of this life, are caused by standing in our own sunshine" -Ralph Waldo Emerson
• A group of jellyfish is called a "smack" - Like.
• Eventwise raised R37000 for the Rhino's this weekend! I am proud to know the organizer and to have been part of it, amazing stuff Mike!
• "Walk with the dreamers, the believers, the courageous, the planners, the doers, the successful people with their heads in the clouds and their feet on the ground." - Wilfred Peterson. Living by this from now on!
• Don’t tell me baby, show me.
• I know I often speak of my lust for protea's and peonies but right now I can't get enough of peonies.
• "If I had a flower for every time you made me smile and laugh I'd have a garden to walk in forever." And if it was just one flower and those moments were petals, naturally it would be a Peonie, abundance of petals. Heaven.
• Getting a piercing still gives me a thrill. I forgot how fun it is to poke holes in myself, *wink.
• I just love all the women in my life, especially the strong women in my family. Happy Mummy's Day to all the Mummy's. 
• I Especially love doing a sneaky with my family and having to replace my Granny's wine with grape juice. Because of her meds she cannot drink alcohol but insists and the fact that she didn't notice her wine was grape juice is just so cute. Love! Thanks to Junipa’s for playing along too!
• Everything happens for a reason. I don't want your true colours in my life anymore, they don't go with the rest of my palette. In fact, they're just ugly, trust me, I'm a designer.
• Too positive to be doubtful, too optimistic to be fearful and too determined to be defeated!

 Have a colourful week butterflies, may all your rainbows lead to pots of gold.

Xoxo

PS. "We all carry these things inside that no one else can see. They hold us down like anchors. They drown us out at sea."

This brought a tear to my eye, one day...

Weekend Learning's

Sun beam baby...

A great warm weekend in Jozi compared to my freezing last weekend in Cape Town. Winter seems to have gone on hiatus for a bit and left us with 25+ temperatures. Coco isn't complaining… this is what I learned.

• LA Vi might be a Cape Town based band but hell do they sound great live and in Jozi, wow.
• All the stars in space out number every sound and word produced by every human that has ever lived… that’s a lot of star gazing right there.
• The Wood's will always be one of my favourite spots in town. Its just so great and intimate. Townie vibes.
• Jack the Ripper and Winnie the Pooh have the same middle name… Coincidence? I think not… *this made Coco giggle.
• Chateau Gateaux in Illovo has the kind of little cakey morsels you'd imagine in a french boutique patisserie, just divine. Go now!
• Just remember that when nobody else was there for you, I was, and when nobody else gave a damn, I did.
• Going to the engagement party of one of my oldest friends (20 years!!) was a real eye opener. Those who truly know my soul don't care what I look like on the outside or how much I've grown. Thanks for reminding me of this! We still connect, happy love!
• Art still moves me. I went to the JAG (Johannesburg Art Gallery) for the Artist Proof Studio's 21 Years of Art. Some of their stuff almost brought me to tears.
• Seriously go check out Bevan De Wet's work. Clean and precise its some of the most beautiful creative I've laid my eyes on. Watch this name, he's going to be a star!
• On that note, the JAG also houses a lot of SA's world famous artists. The Penny Siopis (she's by far one of my favourite artists) did actually roll a tear down my blushing, art loving cheek. Amazing.
• I am totally content with spending my time eating sushi with my sister in the sun and telling each other stories of our weekends. Even though we were with each other for almost every moment. Best times. Love.
• The Rock actually created the word "smackdown" in 1997. Haha! Hysterical and useless info.
• "You've changed" ...No, actually I think the proper term is "I've stopped trying to please you."

Be inspired, go to a gallery, create something, be warmed by the sun with a loved one. Have a lovely week sparkly smiles.

xoxo

PS. I have Heliophilia, (n) desire to stay in the sun, love of sunlight… like a sunflower, I always want my face in the sunlight.

Need I say more? Other than I love this because it is true in my life.

Weekend Learning's

Ah, Instagram, you make Coco happy.

Another weekend wisped away from me. I spent it in Cape Town under the mist, it was wonderful. This is what I learned,

• What on earth has happened to Chivalry? Really men can we not try a little harder. You are so few and far between.
• I still think the Wheel in Cape Town is one of the most beautiful things ever… giant Christmas biscuit of light, so pretty.
• You can't blame someone for leaving, if you never gave them a reason to stay.
• I struggle not to drool in the Mac stores these days. There is so much awesome, its hard not to feel overwhelmed by the idea that Apple is really going to take over the world.
• Seeing someone I haven't seen in a long time always makes me nervous. I don't know why because it always feels like I was never gone when I see these particular favourite souls of mine. Real connections never fade or change.
• El Burro's smokey poppers are the perfect amount of heat and cheese, super yum Donkey!
• People like to bring up your past, when your present and future look better than theirs.
• An Ombré hair style is half brown at the top and half blonde at the bottom and it looks great on Karma.
• Karma's french toast also saves lives, trust me, I know.
• Sitting next to a fireplace is still one of the best feelings, nothing can beat the warmth of a natural fire. And it is oh so romantic, Prrr.
• Sure you can try to hurt me, but you've got to ask yourself, "Do i wanna wake up tomorrow?" Ha ha. Read this on Twitter and had to share it.
• Guys: never take a good woman for granted, because one day another guy will come along and appreciate what you didn't.
• Getting in a black taxi, going to the train station and bustling over to Kalk Bay where we ate cheap fish and chips next to the sea at Lucky's Fish and Chips was amazing.
• Only in South Africa is the ambiant music on the train a little boy with a 'guitar'. When I say 'guitar' I mean a wooden plank with a milk bottle on the end with one string of wire… *pluck pling!
• I'm loving hats, especially when they're furry and we look like we want to hunt Elk in them… *BANG BANG!
• Leaving Cape Town always puts an empty feeling in my heart… I never quite know if its a person or the city. But ill be back very soon, you can count on it.
• Bottega (in Jozi) has the best Peach and Mint G'nT ever, it is delicious.
• Wolves Cheese Cake… like I've said before, it fixes broken hearts and also helps with ones which miss Capey Town, Mew. And the crockery is so gorgeous… sigh.
• Generosity is also a rare thing. The generosity of kindness sometimes is the least shared gift you can give. Thank you to all the people who gave me kindness this weekend, I love you all.

Xoxo

PS. Hug a Hipster, they are people too, thanks uncle.

True that.

Weekend Learning's

Who is going to be your black unicorn...

The weekends are getting colder. Gone are the days of sundowners and sun views, hello to merlot, fireplaces and cuddling. Wow but winter came quick to Jozi. This is what I learned,

• A Friday morning presentation where the client is so happy with the work you've shown her she almost kisses you is my kind of start to the weekend. Design, I love her.
• No matter how old I get, fluffy stuff on my skin in winter, wow I just love it, don't judge me.
• I will dance with you, slow or fast, all you need do is ask.
• Forget what hurt you but never forget what it taught you.
• The Fire and Ice Hotel deck sports great mini fire places and overhanging heaters for those chilly nights. The DJ lineup is actually quite impressive.
• Lachanophobia is the fear vegetables. This must be the saddest fear I've ever heard of… pass me a zuchinni!
• The corruption in this country will still shock me everyday. Come karma, take your pick.
• A smooth sea never made a skillful sailor… I'm going to be the most skillful sailor of all time when I grow up, but for now I'm living my way, life is too short to be old and boring for forever...  So take that.
• The secret of happiness is freedom but the secret of freedom is courage.
• Im loving tattoo's by Peter Aurisch. Rough and stumble design that’s a little geometric and drunk. You'll know what I mean when you see it… and I see lots of foxes… lust!
• I see so many Skinny Love quotes all over. It has to be one of my all time favourites. It hits so close to home sometimes I wonder if it was written for me… ya Coco can dream.
• I could watch dogs playing all day. It is a blessing to watch joy in a park in the form of a puppy making friends, finding his woof, and tripping over his ears, blissfully oblivious to the role he'll one day have to play.
• Sometimes when you're sore, all you really need is someones arms around you. Fixed.

Enjoy the short week South Africa, next weeks Weekend Learning's will be dedicated to Cape Town and a special friend. 

Xoxo

PS. "I tell my love to wreck it all, cut out all the ropes and let me fall…" SL.

You have a wish for me? Rabbit stew anyone...

Red Lovin'

Pretty awesome says Coco.

I haven't done one of these in a while, and with Winter breathing down our necks there is nothing better than some good stuff to look forward to, these are some of the things I'm lusting after at the moment…

• My iPhone and getting to know Siri. It really is a bright new world… and I love it.
• Being myself and not giving a flying fuck what anyone thinks. Excuse my french.
• iPhone accessories, apps, wallpapers etc. especially my Pantone cover in 711 hot red. It goes great with my nails and current fiery lifestyle… red currant? Hehe.
• On that note, wintery red and other colour polished nails. Thank god the milky pastel phase is out, sies.
• Friends I have too much in common with, town parties, vintage wear, brick roads, street creds, indie, skinny red (and other color) pants… prrr.
• Drake, especially Motto featuring Lil Wayne, "You only live once: that’s the motto...Every day, every day, fuck what anybody say"
• Lomography, Stop taking photo's with your technology and try your hand and eye at real photography, I don't promise you'll be any good, but its still fun to say you tried.
• The future of my long weekend with Karma in Cape Town, that’s a girl not a result.

Fun, fun and MORE fun… go have some! Happy Friday!

Xoxo

PS. Count your rainbows, not your thunderstorms, after all YOLO.

Weekend Learning's

In a puff of smoke, it was done...

Sorry for the lack of weekend learning's. Due to being on set all of last Monday with my favourite client I did not get a chance to write my Learning’s. And being in the Over The Moon kind of crazy happy I was, when someone pulls the carpet from under Coco’s skipping feet, she’s known to hit the ground rather hard... And face first. Thus all of last weeks Weekend Learning’s were... Null and void. So this is what I learned on this Easter Weekend;

• Angry, loved clients can really put a damper on your holiday if they are grumpy with you, a good cry in the bathroom does wonders to clear the pathological mind.
• Let people go when they want to leave. Your destiny will never be tied to a leaver, no matter how desperately you want them to stay.
• A study found people with lighter eye colours (blue, green, hazel, grey) have a higher alcohol tolerance… finally I know why I am the way I am, team hazel! 
• There's a Japanese word for that "we could fall in love" feeling you get when first meeting a person -- It's "Koi No Yokan". I hope to not have this feeling again for a very long time… 
• A girl should never forget that she doesn't need anyone who doesn't need her.
• I love my snood. And need at least 7 more so I can wear a different one everyday for 14 days... Yes obsessed is a nice word too...
• St Francis has weird road names, Ginger Joll, come on now, you meant Caramel Vodka right?
• "A year from now you will wish you had started today." -Karen Lamb
• When you're up in life, your friends get to know who you are. When you're down in life, you get to know who your friends are.
• Sore hearts don't make good travel partners. I can’t stop singing “Up In Flames” by Coldplay. After reading the lyrics I realised the last line is really what the song is about, woe is me.
• I will never be able to play, or watch someone play chess without hearing a Russian accent in my head... Thanks G and Rrrr.
• Being scared about a family member being sick in hospital really makes you reflect about what is going on in your life. Life is to short for mediocre crap. *Get well soon. x
• I am reading Shantaram at the moment, some of the quotes have, many a time, almost moved me to tears. This one really hit home for me;

"One of the reasons why we crave love, and seek it so desperately, is that love is the only cure for loneliness, and shame, and sorrow.  But some feelings sink so deep into the heart that only loneliness can help you find them again. And some things are just so sad that only your soul can do the crying for you." - Shantaram.

Don’t let them pull the rug from under you darlings, have a beautiful week.

Xoxo

PS. Hibernation is a state of inactivity and metabolic depression, characterized by lower body temperature, slower breathing, and lower metabolic rate...

I AM HERE, I am here, in the world, in the place of the world, waiting,
waiting, come, or don’t come, I, am here, waiting.

 

Weekend Learning's

Sliding to the beat of the city we live it, urban love.

A weekend as wonderful as this one calls for celebration, or just a Monday weekend learning’s, that’s celebration enough right? This is what I learned;

• The tappas at Buddah Ta are best shared over silly conversation, “Haha nom, haha, whats that dip... Wow garlic, who did what to WHO? Calamari... Haha!”
• I follow my heart, weather its down the right road or the wrong road, I always follow my heart.
• Facebook is blue because Mark Zuckerberg is red-green colour-blind.
• You know you have unique taste in music when you go from one club in heels and a cocktail dress only to change into your sneakers and T shirt for the next destination.
• The best things in life, are not things.
• I’m obsessing over Anthony Neil Dart, Johannesburg based Graphic Designer. I stumbled across his stuff and just. can’t. stop...
• Winning stuff is super exciting, especially when its to Brickfields and it had something to do with Dubstep and having a seizer, weird and bizarre lovin!
• I don't like blue flavour. Blue slushy, sies.
• Trust the struggle, its a lesson someone bigger is trying to teach you. Mine is finally over. Happy much?
• Jozi Town is just wonderful, I don’t really enjoy going out anywhere else anymore. Town, swallow me up please! So glad I’ve found a little town fairy to come with me!
• Knowing what you want is the best, clearest feeling in the world.
• The rumbling sound your stomach makes when you are hungry is called "borborygmus." LOVE! Sshhh
• Sometimes people seem mean because they don’t realise that your mean-o-meter is a lot more sensitive than theirs... Mine is like old break pads... worn.

Have a gorgeous week feathers, I think its going to be a goodie... Loving life!

Xoxo

PS. By the way... I’m wearing the smile you gave me.

*like

 

Weekend Learning's

Fairy dust a weekend to be almost perfect...

Doing something random and something you know you probably shouldn’t do on the weekend often leads to a better weekend that expected. Quietly becoming a recluse doesn’t necessarily mean that I’m not leaving the house, it just means I’m not leaving the house with the usual people. This is what I learned;

• I need to spend a Friday night in sometimes in order to get over the ridiculous 70 hour work week I achieved. Sleeping 14 hours is evidence alone that I was... drained.
• Flu will not leave the body until it feels you deserve to be left alone. Two weeks of it was my punishment I guess.
• Holding a banana peel over a bruise for 10 to 30 minutes will remove it's colour... I have yet to try this out.
• I don't forgive people because I'm weak, I forgive them because I am strong enough to know people make mistakes.
• My heart is a beehive, every person I love has their own little hexagon. Sometimes you have to be brave enough to know that some people my not be in your life, but they'll always be in your heart.
• I like, love espresso. The shakes that come with it might be annoying but are definitely worth it.
• Washing my sisters hair because she just had her nails done resulted in uncontrollable laughter, armpit in face and a lot of wet items of clothing. Hysterical, good times.
• Traffic on a Saturday is like having to wear a uniform... or a bra, its just uncomfortable.
• Sometimes you do not realise how lost you really were until you feel like you’ve been found again.
• In "Pinky and the Brain," Brain’s name is supposed to be an acronym for “Biological Recombinant Algorithmic Intelligence Nexus”
• The cure for anything is salt water; sweat, tears, or the ocean. I’ve done the other two, cannot wait to go to the ocean.

Have an amazing two day week loves! Hope you celebrate your Human Rights Day with love.

Xoxo

PS. You make me smile all over my face. 

 

Weekend Learning's

black on black. Sexy.

Eeep! With all the manic at work this weeks Weekend Learning’s are a little late. Sorry folks, cannot be helped. This is what I learned;

• I love the term “going gorilla's”. I seem to be living by this... Go mad Coco, go mad!
• Patton Oswalt is a ridiculous and hysterical comedian. Someone played me some of his stuff this weekend and I was in tears... He was also Remy from the film Ratatouille... No wonder I love him.
• I think its comical how many people think every word I write on my blog is about them... Ego much? “I bet you think this blog is about you, don’t you, don’t you...”
• IndieFest was amazing! There is nothing better than dancing around like a nut to songs you’d never really hear anywhere else. Thanks Eleanor Queen and your little troops for a roaring Friday.
• Sometimes I forget my size and should dance further away from large individuals. Being knocked onto my bum was luckily hilarious... Coco has a blue cheek... And not on my face.
• Sometimes I regret being nice, apologizing when I didn't do anything wrong, and for making unworthy people a priority in my life.
• I love cream cheese on toast, just add black pepper because it makes it that much more delicious, mmm.
• Speaking of feeding, Doggy Dinner Direct is a company where you can order online for your fluffy pup or cat and they deliver right to your door! So wonderful! I love you guys, so does little Louis, my handsome Pekingese.
• Staying in with my sister, getting DVD’s and Thai and talking about nothing really other than why the duvet is so nice and poofy is one of my favourite things to do. Makes my heart and feet warm, *giggle.
• It’s strange how one good night message can make everything feel okay again, even if its not.
• Love and Other Drugs is just another movie where there’s some basket-case chick and she wins the hottie and he decides to stay with her even though she’s going to end up like a zucchini one day... Psh... Where do these movie folk fabricate these men from? Really.
• Stable has got to be my favourite site at the moment. Truly inspiring, a little dark and dirty too, prrrr check it.
• I'm quietly obsessing over shiny black on black. Although I always have... Maybe its the place I’m in. Pass the emo.
• You are so delicious, I might call you gravy... mmm mmm MMM.

Have a gorgeous week loves, and if you don’t, I know a Panda who gives amazing pep talks... Mmm... Pep talk panda... I love her.

Xoxo

PS. There’s beauty in the Breakdown

Or a panda... x

Weekend Learning's

A heavy drowning heart might look like this, perhaps.

Weekends seem to be coming fast and furious these days. Its almost impossible to keep up especially when one keeps so busy. Before you know it, it’ll be Easter again. Gosh. This is what I learned.

• I really hate driving all over the show, spending ample time in the car is not my idea of fun.
• I have decided to stop wasting my money and start saving the little that I have for the bigger picture... Watch this space.
• A relationship with no trust is like a cell phone with no service, all you can do is play games. Thanks for proving that to me.
• Bingo Players was amazing, they really are serious performers! Shame about the venue.
• My girls and I can sneak into any venue. Hearts beating, big smiles and a little giggle can get you anywhere.
• Autumn is definitely on the way, it might still be 30+ during the day but the chill of the wind is so cold. Need cuddles.
• ‘Me Time’ is a divine little mani and pedi spot in Parkhurst. Sitting in a giant massage chair while two people work on you is heaven and a real pamper session. Doing it with your bestie and talking absolute hogwash makes it even more relaxing... Watch out for the paraffin dip, yowza! Hot!
• Bottega is amazing. Sitting in the sun under the water mister loving the beautiful people and sipping on the most delicious cocktails must be one of the best things to do on a Saturday afternoon. The portions are huge so go easy on yourself!
• Sometimes it's hard to figure out who has your back, from who has it just long enough to stab you in it!
• The Fire and Ice Hotel in Melrose Arch is still one of the most gorgeous places in jozi. It really is nippie so go now for a milkshake, nom! Good memories.
• The best things in life are unseen that’s why we close our eyes when we kiss, laugh and dream.
• Mezepoli is a Greek restaurant in Melrose Arch, their tapas are to die for. Munching over little meals of delight and finishing each others sentences makes for silent laughter (you know when you laugh so hard no sound comes out) and very sore tummy muscles. Beautiful!
• When I have a one of The Counter’s brownies in my bag I clutch it that much tighter, you never know what freaks might get a whiff and try nab my bag!
• Some peoples tattoo’s amaze me,must be the ex artist in me. I love the different hue's that the colours make on flesh tones... I wonder what hues I could make on my skin canvas...
• Chilling out in the afternoon sun watching a damn fine drummer, eating Tokyo Star’s divine sushi (Coco highly recommends it! Delicious and reasonable) and sipping on Fat Bastard Sauv B is the perfect ending to a glorious weekend.

Thanks to all who participated, you’re my closed eyes moments.

xoxo

PS. I was a heavy heart to carry... he took me to the river where he slowly let me drown.

Weekend Learning's

explore

Nothing ventured nothing gained. This weekend I ventured all over, this is what I learned;

• The day Teddy Roosevelts wife died he wrote only these words in his diary; “The light has gone out of my life.” Sadly I relate at the moment. :(
• I love going to warehouses for clients to see how the production factories work, I’m such a dork right? I could sit there all day with my hardhat on. Oooh what does this button do?
• The best thing in life is finding someone who knows all of your flaws, mistakes, and weaknesses and still thinks you're completely amazing.
• You can really see the true hostess in people, delicious surprise apples in butternut soup and perfectly gorgeously set tables, not even the rain could ruin a beautiful Birthday.
• Spending the whole of Sunday being obsessed with crosswords with a special friend was glorious. I’m still thinking in blocks, tiles, squares... Wait how many letters?
• On that note... Sometimes I surprise myself with the extent of my English vocabulary, I actually knew off the top of my head the sound of ringing bells, 4 letters beginning with a p... Do you?
• Arian Behzadi, good God man, your stuff is amazing. Medical meets design? think I’m in love, can we meet and debate?
• You know you’re a real designer when a fellow creative asks you what flavour chips you want and you say “yellow.” PS, thank you for the tissues xx
• Sometimes all you really need is to have someone who cares hold your face and say “You’re going to be fine, not today but until you are, I am here.”
• Quote of the day; "Let me know when your whole life goes up in smoke. Means it's time for a promotion." Too True. The Devil Wears Prada.
• Its really awesome to drive down a road and see a taxi with my logo on it, a bus with a design I did and a billboard with my branding on it, at least on the job front...  Its all gold.
• When you’re emotionally dead your body is always drained, falling asleep and sleeping 13 hours cant be normal can it?
• Life is to short to have a mediocre relationship, and if you’re willing to let the fireworks go... You don’t deserve them.

xoxo

PS. Being in a dark place only means I’m waiting for someone to bring me a box of matches. 

Adran Behzadi, amazing.