I’m back!

Good day subscribers,

I hope you’re all very well and that your 2016 has been off to a fantastic start! I’m sad to admit that over the past couple of months, I’ve neglected my beloved blog due to time constraints.

However, I’ve got some exciting news for you all: I’m back! With bigger ideas, better content and lots to look forward to.

If there are any fashion, beauty, healthy or fitness topics you’d like to know more about, please feel free to leave them in the comments below.

PS: I’ll also be writing lots about the two cities that I live between, Joburg and Cape Town, so if you’ve got any restaurants or spas you’d like to know more about, let me know about those, too!

Love,

Cands

Oh, Friday… Let me hug you!

Good morning everyone! And a very happy Friday to you all!

 

 

Is there a sweeter acronym than TGIF?

I don’t know about you, but I’m beyond excited that the weekend is around the corner, and that the start of the next workweek is long ways from here. It’s been an awesome, productive week, but at the same time it’s been a hard knock being shaken out of holiday mode!

This weekend I have some pretty exciting events coming up. Be sure to subscribe to make sure you don’t miss out on what I’m getting up to!

I wish you all a fabulous weekend! May it be filled with fine champagne, divine food, good friends and lots of laughter.

 

 

Love,

Cands

Happy 2016, subscribers!

Happy Monday and Happy New Year to all of you!

Isn’t the start of a new year just such a wonderful thing? Think about it – it’s a time of great opportunity. A time to reflect on the last year, and to set goals for the new one.

I must admit – I was rather sad to say goodbye to 2015. Even with all of its overwhelming challenges, it taught me so much about myself. At the end of the day, it was always going to be the year of difficulties and survival, and I exceeded my own expectations and didn’t only survived, but survived well!

On the other hand, 2016 is going to be a year of achievement and ultimate success. I’m so excited! I’m also so grateful for my friends and family who continue to propel me to higher levels in all areas of my life.

On this beautiful Monday, I encourage you to be brutally honest with yourself. Ask yourself: “Where have I been, where am I now, and where do I want to go?”

Take some good time to look back on 2015, and use this self-reflection to drive you to an incredible 2016. May it be an absolutely brilliant one!

 

 

Love,

Cands

Happy Monday! It’s almost holiday time!

Good morning my lovely subscribers!

I hope you’re all having the most amazing day so far. Considering it’s Monday again, and (even better) almost holiday time, I thought this post would be appropriate. It’s been a long, busy year for most of us, hasn’t it? I bet you’re looking forward to putting your feet up and de-stressing as much as I am this December!

Being on holiday has been long thought to be one of the best things you can do for your stress levels. There’s even research to prove it! If you’re one of those people (like myself) who find it difficult to switch off and completely unwind during your December break, not to stress (pun intended). I’ve compiled a great list of my three top tips to help you get to grips with holiday relaxation! I hope you enjoy this useful Monday morning read.

 

 

Three tips to de-stress over the holidays

#1: Get off the grid!

I’m not saying you have to retreat to the wilderness or a wellness spa and rely on forage berries and nuts during your holiday. What I am saying, however, is that you should disconnect your electronic devices and take time to get back in touch with nature. Seriously – switch your phone and laptop off for half an hour each day, and use that time to explore the beautiful outdoors or simply relax and take time out to yourself. You’re on holiday!

#2: Treat yourself

Nothing says “holiday” quite like a massage or a spa day – can we agree on this? Thought so! It’s a great way to release tension and relax your mind and body. Splash out on a facial, hot stone massage or mud wrap, and let all of your worries melt away. Because a little bit of pampering never hurt nobody, right?

#3: Work it out

While it might not be the first thing you think of when you’re looking for relaxation techniques, exercise is one of the most effective ways to decrease your stress levels. It helps release feel-good endorphins, which in turn releases tension. Ultimately, this improves your mood and helps you sleep better. Go to the gym, have a hit around the tennis court, or take a long swim. Whatever your choice of workout, you’re guaranteed to feel refreshed and rejuvenated afterwards!

I hope you all have the most incredible Monday today and a very positive and productive week. Let the countdown to holidays begin!

Love,

Cands

PS: I hope you love the posts I’m putting up this week! Keep your great feedback coming.

Happy Friyay!

Good morning subscribers!

 

 

While I have a moment to spare I thought I’d pop in and wish you all a fabulous weekend. Apologies for my lack of personal posts as of late – it’s been crazy at work with year-end deadlines over the past few weeks!

 

Thank you all for the great feedback on my posts this week. I’ll check in with you all again on Monday and give you the latest scoop on what’s happening in my life 🙂

 

Have a brilliant Friday!

 

Love,

Cands

Six things that help me conquer my sweet tooth over the festive season

Are you high? Before you say no, think about what you’ve put in your mouth lately. If it includes anything from thick, creamy milkshakes and rainbow-coloured cereal to chicken nuggets and cold cuts, there’s a pretty good chance you’re riding a sugar high right now.

 

Don’t feel bad – you’re not the only person buzzed with a sugar addiction right now. In fact, research shows that nearly a quarter of one’s daily caloric intakes – 325 calories on averages – comes from foods like baked goods, soft drinks, fruit juices and desserts. In other words, from sugar.

 

I find that year-end is the toughest time of the year to try and take control of your sugar cravings. Do you agree? Here are seven tips that help me take control of my sweet tooth that really work!

 

 

Six ways to curb your sweet cravings this December

#1: Eat a decent breakfast every day

Did you know that 90% of sugar addicts skip breakfast? That’s right. They wait and get a big hit of sugar at around 10am. When you eat breakfast, you prevent the drop in blood sugar that makes you crave sugar later in the day. A hearty, nutritious breakfast doesn’t have to take you long to whip up – try a delicious low-calorie smoothie or avocado baked eggs.

#2: Choose fruit whenever you can

Satisfy your sweet tooth with bananas, apples, and berries; all of which temper natural sugar with fibre and loads of antioxidants. Dried fruit and fruit juices will also do in a pinch. Just be aware that they pack far more calories than fresh fruit. I limit myself to a quarter cup or less of dried fruit or one cup of fruit juice each day. Frozen fruit smoothies are another great healthy way to get your sugar fix.

 

 

#3: Never cross the 150 calorie line!

So you’re at a Christmas party or a dinner and you simply can’t say no to a chocolate or a cupcake. Let’s be realistic – this happens! But when it does, be sure to stick to 100 to 150 calorie portions and 16 g of sugar or less.

#4: Plan your indulgences for right after dinner

You can’t toss out or give away all the sweet treats you get given for Christmas, I know. So the trick is to indulge in them at the right time – after dinner. Late-night sweet fixes give you a pure, unaltered sugar rush. Treat yourself right after dinner instead and you’ll reduce (though not counter) the insulin-spiking effect.

 

 

#5: Cut out “overt” sugars as far as possible

Tackle the worst offenders first: Sucrose-laden treats! Yup, I’m looking you right in the eye, frappuccinos. If you drink sugary drinks like these every day, try get into the happen of having one every other day instead.

#6: Enter a sugar rehab

You’re an addict. Therefore, you need to detox before you can fully recover. It takes five days to fully overcome your cravings for sugar, and you’re bound to feel awful for about three of them. Prepare to be edgy and irritable while you resist temptation for the first three days. By day five, you’ll feel like a whole new person – I promise! And, you’ll have learned that a little sugar goes a much longer way than you previously thought.

I hope these tips work well for you. Good luck!

I went on the Orchard on Long Radical 3-Day Juice Cleanse

Last week I went on a juice cleanse. For you. Well, for me, really. But I had you in mind. Promise. Now, those of you who know me will know that I’m very much obsessed with detoxing. I’ve tried a couple of different local juice cleanse programmes that have done wonders for my body and taken my health to the next level. Last week, I finally got around to trying the 3-Day Radical Cleanse by my favourite Cape Town juice bar: Orchard on Long. Yup, for three whole days I binged on green juices… And I lived to tell the story!

Before I get to my juice cleanse diary, let me elaborate a little on the cleanse that I did and why I did it. So, the 3-Day Radical Cleanse, which will cost you R1 050, is a relatively advanced cleanse sequence. You get six juices to drink per day. I’d say it’s best for “experienced” juicers, but I’m sure beginners would be able to stick it out, too. Just a side note: Orchard on Long does offer other programmes that are designed for newbies entering the cleansing arena, such as the 1-Day Activation Cleanse and the 1-Day Radical Cleanse, which both cost R350 each.

My decision to do this juice cleanse can’t quite be chalked up to any one thing. I wasn’t really trying to drop weight, though I’d been feeling a little sluggish after eating pretty badly over the past month due to stress and other factors. I felt that it was time to take back my health. I wanted to feel a little lighter, fresher and, well, newer. The 3-Day Radical Cleanse promised nutrient-dense, alkalising and detoxifying juices that would “target every nook and cranny”, helping me achieve maximum detoxifying results. Sounded pretty good to me!

So now, here’s a look into my juice cleanse journey…

 

 

 

My juice cleanse diary

Monday (3 days before cleanse)

7:45AM

A menacing calendar invite pops up on my phone just before I step into the office, reminding me to “stop drinking coffee/alcohol and eating dairy/bread/meat”. You see, in order to get the most out of any juice cleanse, you need to prepare your body. You’ll want to start weaning yourself off of your usual indulgences and make a few adjustments before you start, so that your body doesn’t go into panic mode when you consume nothing but liquid for three consecutive days. Yup, this Monday without coffee was tough!

2PM

The work day is almost over, and all I’ve consumed is green tea, nuts and berries. The tummy rumbles are real right now.

7:30PM

My evening yoga workout seems to have kept my hunger at bay. For dinner, I enjoy two soft-boiled eggs sprinkled with salt and pepper.

Tuesday (2 days before cleanse)

10AM

My head hurts. By now, I’ve usually glugged down a cup of coffee. Maybe two. Today, I drank a blueberry and coconut water smoothie for breakfast, and plan to sip on green tea for the remainder of the day. Caffeine is part of my morning ritual. Okay, maybe it isn’t just a ritual. Maybe I’m addicted to it. Whatever.

1:30PM

Time to meet a friend for coffee during my lunch hour. Well, she has coffee, and I have a cup of chilled green tea with a sashimi salad.

8PM

I feel like inhaling a plate of nachos right now, but I blend up a raw cacao and peanut butter smoothie bowl for dinner instead. Yes, chocolate for dinner. I needed a pick-me-up, okay?

Wednesday (1 day before cleanse)

9:30AM

I pick up my box of juices! It’s huge. And heavy. All this is going into my body in only three days? Whoa, okay. I spend the next half an hour arranging it all in my fridge.

8PM

After a one-hour spinning class, I’m pretty starving, but I resist temptation and cook up a low-calorie vegetable soup for dinner. I feel pretty ready for my impending cleanse. Bring it on!

Thursday (day 1)

6AM

I wake up bright and early, feeling ready for my cleanse. I’m about to drink cold things for three days straight. I’ve done it before, so I can do it again, right? I hope they’re tasty. Let’s see how it works out.

9:30AM

After drinking a mug of warm water with sliced lemon to wake up my system, I have my first juice, which is labelled “Greens”. It’s… Not bad! A blend of spinach, kale, dates, wheatgrass, orange, pineapple, vanilla, oats and spirulina. It’s actually pretty sweet and refreshing. I definitely taste the spinach and kale, but luckily the pineapple keeps it from going full veggie flavour.

11AM

Onto my second juice – The Electro. It’s a blend of celery, kale, spinach, apple, lemon, ginger and cayenne pepper. Pretty gingery, but it was better than the first one for sure. Plus it was filling. I feel full. Not necessarily sated, but I’m certainly not starving.

1:30PM

I might be starving… I’m not sure. Maybe it’ll pass? I drink down my third juice, The Panda. Avocado, pineapple, lime, celery, cucumber, spirulina, apple spinach and ginger are the ingredients in it. Wow, tasty!

3:45PM

Feeling rather dizzy, but still going. Time for my fourth juice, the Sunflower Special. It’s a mix of sunflower greens, celery, wheatgrass, lemon, apple and kale. Okay, wow… The wheatgrass taste is rather overpowering. But it’s drinkable.

5PM

I’m feeling pretty energised! Perhaps it’s the little bit of caffeine in the green tea I’ve been drinking throughout the day to thank for this?

5:50PM

Time for my fifth juice, the All Star Greens juice! Yes, another green juice. It’s loaded with watercress, celery, parsley, basil, kale, cucumber, mint, spinach and lemon. It tastes a lot better than it sounds.

8PM

Dessert time! My sixth and last juice of the day is the Almond Milk. A delicious combination of raw almonds, vanilla, Himalayan salt, dates and coconut oil. I close my eyes and it tastes a little like a milkshake. As someone who needs to end their day on a sweet note, this is kind of life-saving.

10PM

It’s time for bed. I feel a little dizzy, but actually not so bad. I’ve had a caffeine withdrawal headache all day, but I’m sure the feeling will pass as the juices get to work and the toxins leave my body.

Friday (day 2)

9AM

I’m done with the first day! Walking into the office was hard. I almost fainted from all the smells. Do my colleagues really have to drink their coffee at eat their oatmeal at their desks? I find it rather inconsiderate. Also, why are my senses so heightened? Okay, juice time.

11AM

I’m feeling a tad wary about the rest of the cleanse now that I know what all the juices taste like. I hope the novelty won’t wear off. My bladder is constantly full of liquid. It’s quite uncomfortable.

12:15PM

I’m three juices into the day and I actually feel great! I probably only feel this way because it’s Friday, right?

6PM

I’m busy working from a coffee shop. I just finished my fifth juice of the day. I had to have a change of scenery – delicious smells be damned! My last juice is sitting in my bag. I’ll treat myself to it after a light run around the block after finishing my work.

6:45PM

Still at the coffee shop. It’s interesting working through the “am I really hungry right now, or am I just bored?” and “am I really hungry right now, or am I just used to eating at this time?” questions on a juice cleanse.

8PM

I’m on the couch, feeling a bit drained after my run. But I know it’s normal to feel light-headed after even light exercise when you’re consuming so few calories per day. I drink my almond milk juice. It’s so good!

10:30PM

Okay, maybe the lack of food is getting to me a little, because I just yelled at someone on the phone who probably (okay, definitely) didn’t deserve to be yelled at. Also, I feel so antisocial. A Friday night spent at home? Really? Okay, time for bed.

Saturday (day 3)

7:45AM

I wake up and I feel totally fine. I’m not miserable or starving. Hmm, surprising. I do miss food and liquid that isn’t juiced fruit and veggies, but I suppose knowing there’s a light at the end of the tunnel makes it manageable.

1:30PM

If anything, I feel a little tired of not eating. I’m on my third juice of the day, and I’m about to go and meet a friend for tea. I think I miss salty carbs the most. I want pizza. And nachos. I wouldn’t mind ice-cream, either.

11PM

Got a little caught up watching The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills episodes, so I’m finally heading to bed with my last juice. I’m feeling a little sentimental – I’m going to miss having everything I need for the day tomorrow planned out for me. Plus, there’s nothing in my fridge except for an almost-empty bottle of red wine and a LUSH face mask.

 

 

The final verdict

While I’m not going to tell you what I weighed before and after the cleanse (what, are you crazy?!), I will say that I had lost 3 kg when I weighed in on Sunday morning. 3 kg in three days? Not too shabby. I feel lighter on my feet and the furthest thing from bloated. Not that I’m constantly stuffing my face with food and eating to excess, but you know what? Sometimes I do (there, I said it).

In addition, my mental and physical energy levels have skyrocketed and my skin is glowing! I can also feel that my digestive system and liver are well-rested. Gosh, I feel absolutely fabulous in actual fact! It wasn’t cheap, but eating healthy usually isn’t. It was, however, well worth it. I think I’ll do this cleanse once a season.

If you too want to invest in your health, give a juice cleanse a try. Just like you set aside money from your budget for high-quality clothing and accessories that will last, your body deserves the same attention. Whether it’s splurging on a gym membership when the temperatures dip and you can’t run outside, or a seasonal reboot to your diet, it’s always worth it. I promise you!

Now if only I could go cold turkey on my beloved chocolate cake and pizza…

If you want to read more about the juice cleanses that Orchard on Long offers or get right to placing an order, go here.

Ten date night beauty prep tips

Date night is all about dolling up – am I right? However, sometimes all the planning and prepping can get just a tad overwhelming, which is why I’m sharing some great date night beauty prep tips with you! These helpful guidelines are sure to have you looking and feeling even better than your usual fabulous self on the next hot date you have lined up.

 

 

#1: Plan what you’ll be wearing

Before I get to the beauty tips, let’s begin by planning out your outfit. While it isn’t always possible, try to pick out your outfit beforehand. Have no idea what to wear? Here are some sexy, charming date night outfit ideas that will totally knock his socks off:

• Classic denim and stripes: If you’re a simple girl when it comes to dressing, you’ll be happy to know that you can never go wrong with fitted jeans and a striped tee.
• A pumped-up little black dress: For those days when you hate everything in your closet, look to the no-fail garment that is a curve-hugging little black dress. Dress it up with chunky jewelry or coloured heels.
• Printed pants with a simple blouse: Nope, printed pants aren’t only a girl-approved trend! A skin-tight pair will look super-sexy with a sheer black blouse and a matching bra.
• A glam crop top with a floaty skirt: Give your cropped tank top a dressed up feel with a floaty midi- or max-skirt. Trust me – the minimal sliver of skin will deliver maximum sultriness!
• A sweet dress: That colourful sundress you love can go from day to night in two seconds flat if you throw on a denim jacket and a pair of ankle boots.
• A romantic shirt with stovepipe pants: A floral lingerie-inspired shirt is sexy but not vulgar. Pair the pretty top with stovepipe pants and strappy heels.
• A leather pencil skirt with an airy tank: There’s nothing sexier than a leather (or faux leather) pencil skirt with an airy tank and a pair of chic sandals (the strappier, the better!).
• A bright dress: For a dressier date night, a cocktail dress in a super-flattering shape and colour that complements your skin tone will ensure that both you and your guy know you’re a knockout!

#2: Soak and de-bloat in a detox bath

If you happen to feel bloated, drained or unfit on the day of your date, run a detox bath to banish that undesirable feeling. Simply add two cups of Epsom salt along with half a cup of baking soda and ten drops of lavender essential oil to a tub filled with hot water. Hop in and soak for up to 45 minutes. The magnesium in the Epsom salt will draw toxins and excess fluid from your body, while the baking soda will wash acid waste out of your body and soften your skin, and the lavender essential will eliminate any nervous tension and improve your blood circulation.

#3: Prep your body by exfoliating and shaving

In the bath or shower, exfoliate your skin using exfoliating gloves and a gentle body scrub. The gloves will make it easy to get to every nook of your body. Plus, their texture will rev up your energy and circulation. Remember to exfoliate your hands and feet to get them mani-pedi ready! After exfoliating, use a scented body washed on a loofah to give your skin one last scrub. Now that you’ve removed the dead skin cells from the surface of your skin, you’ll be able to get a closer shave. Apply a moisturising shaving cream to your legs and work your way from ankle to thigh with your razor.

#4: Freshen up your face with a homemade face mask

Nothing freshens up skin quite like a homemade yoghurt mask! One of my favourite recipes is a yoghurt, honey and avocado mask. It’s easy to whip up and is supremely moisturising without being pore-clogging. The lactic acid in yoghurt acts as a gentle exfoliant, while the antibacterial activity in honey helps heal dry or chapped skin, and the vitamin C in avocado promotes a bright complexion. All you have to do is mix up half a ripe avocado with a tablespoon of raw honey and two tablespoons of full-fat plain yoghurt. Spread a thick layer onto your clean face and neck, then sit back and relax for 15 to 20 minutes. Remove the mask with a warm facecloth and finish with a splash of cool water.

#5: Give your nails a mini mani-pedi

One of the most overlooked steps when it comes to prepping for a date night is grooming your nails. Give yourself a quick nail check to see what you’re working with. If you take pretty good care of your nails, you can simply apply cuticle oil to moisturise and enhance the appearance of your hands and toes. Otherwise, take it a step further by painting your nails with a nail colour that fits your outfit and mood. I usually opt for a pale pink or a nude shade to keep things simple. While you wait for the polish to dry, why not apply some whitening strips to your teeth for sparkling, beautiful pearly whites?

#6: Bronze up with body make-up

If you love looking tanned but simply aren’t tanned or don’t have enough time to apply fake tan (which takes at least eight hours to develop), body make-up is the answer. It’s pretty much a waterproof foundation for your entire body that you can wash off with warm water and soap at the end of the night. I often choose this product over fake tan as it doesn’t streak or come off on your clothes like fake tan does. It also has far less of an odour. Smooth it all over your chest, arms, legs and any other areas of skin that your outfit might expose. Body make-up will give your skin a lovely sun-kissed glow and an even bronzed look in minutes! You can intensify the colour by layering it on.

#7: Style your hair into a romantic down do

For your hair, you can try doing some romantic waves or curls, or you can keep it chic by wearing it straight. If your hair is short or a bob, try a deep side part with side-swept bangs for a sophisticated look. I think we all have certain hairstyles we love to wear and know look fabulous on us! Just be sure to avoid trying anything too fancy or tricky – you don’t want to spend all of your time trying to style your hair or, even worse, walk out the door with crunchy or stiff hair! Seriously – save the harsh up dos for another occasion.

#8: Apply a fresh, dewy face of make-up

Date night make-up should give the look of fresh, radian skin. Start with an illuminating primer and follow with a liquid foundation that perfectly matches your skin tone. The primer will create the perfect base, while the illumination will shine through and give the illusion of glowing skin. Next up, apply a pink-toned blush or a bronzer to the apples of your cheeks. Then, using a brow powder and an angled brush, darken your eyebrows up a shade or two to achieve a polished look (for pro tips on how to wow your brows without looking overdone, go here).

For your eyes, you can choose to go for either a natural or a smokey look. For soft, feminine eyes, simply sweep a subtle eye shadow (a champagne shade works well for light skin tones while a matte brown works well for darker ones) to your eyelid and blend up into your crease. Finish off with a soft brown eye pencil on your top and bottom lash line, and two coats of brown or black mascara.

For sultry, smokey eyes, try a brown- or grey-toned palette. Start with the lightest colour at your lash line, then gradually darken the shade as you move up to your crease. Blend the shadow well using big fluffy blending brush. Finish off your look with black liquid liner rimming your top lashes and two coats of black mascara.

Lastly, exfoliate your lips with a dab of baking soda on a cotton swab to create a soft, smooth canvas. Follow with a nude, soft pink or red lipstick. You can use a hydrating gloss over your lip colour to soften the look of coloured lips if you like.

#9: Fragrance yourself with body lotion and perfume

To create a long-lasting, unforgettable scent, slather on your favourite fragranced body lotion. If you have dry or flaky skin, try using a heavy lotion or a body butter to help minimise the appearance of dryness and give your skin a beautiful, healthy glow. Then, spritz on your signature perfume. Something sweet and fruity is always best in my opinion. Make sure you spray it onto all of your pulse points: Your neck, your décolletage, behind your ears, your wrists and even behind your knees. For a full body experience, you can even spray at your ankles and lightly work your way up. Just be sure not to overdo it!

#10: Put on the finishing touches to your look

You’re almost ready to head out the door! Now, you just need to put on your outfit, touch up your look, and breathe. Make sure everything you’re wearing fits comfortably and looks good, and that your clothes are free of any creases. Check that your hair is in place (you can tame flyaways with a touch of silicone serum or hairspray) and that your make-up looks flawless (running eyeliner or bleeding lipstick isn’t pretty!). Lastly, check your handbag to make sure you have everything you need, such as the lipstick and/or gloss you’re wearing, perfume, eyeliner, blotting papers, eye drops and a nail file.

These tips are sure to help guide you while you’re getting primped and primed for your night ahead! And, remember: Dates are meant to be fun and light-hearted. No matter how it goes, make the best out of the situation and feel good about the fact that you look amazing!

Be brave enough to let go of the good things that are holding you back from the best things

Happy Monday subscribers!

I hope you all had a magical weekend. This week’s Monday mantra is a saying that rings very true for me right now. It goes: Be brave enough to let go of the good things that are holding you back from the best things. How beautiful are those words?

To break it down for you, I believe that in order to get the very best things that are meant for your life, you often have to give up the very good things that you enjoy very much. This is the meaning of sacrifice.

For example: If you want to have a healthy body and live a healthy lifestyle, you have to control how much delicious, unhealthy foods you eat. If you want to become good at a skill, a hobby or even your job, you have to dedicate time each day to working hard, studying or practising. If you want to have peaceful and meaningful relationships, you have to give up your pride and ego and do things for the sake of others.

Almost everything that’s beautiful and true requires some kind of sacrifice on your part – trust me. You can’t look at this as a loss, because truly, you’re trading in something good for something even better!

Sacrifice is a wonderful thing, and a path to happiness. Why not practise it this week? Be brave enough to let go of the things that are holding you back from the best things. You’re so very loved, and deserve only the best, most beautiful life!

Have a wonderful week!

Love,

Cands

Good morning and happy Friday!

Good morning lovelies!

It’s been a while since I last wrote a happy Friday post (I’m sorry!), so I thought I’d wish you all a happy Friday on this beautiful morning. Right now, I’m at my desk enjoying a light breakfast (a slice of whole grain toast topped with peanut butter and sliced banana and drizzled with honey) with a mug of chamomile and vanilla tea on the side. And I’m just full of smiles today! It’s Friday, it’s the weekend and life is just so good! Let me tell you more…

So, subscribers, a lot has gone on over the past two weeks. First off, I’m leaving my current job in the middle of December. Yup, I’m going for good! I handed my resignation letter in on Wednesday, which was a lot sadder than expected. I’ve only been at Fleet Street Publications since mid April, but ever since starting here I’ve improved in leaps and bounds as a writer. I’m so humbled by how far I’ve come in this short space of time and for all of the opportunities I’ve been given.

But, as sad as it is to close one chapter and begin another, it’s also beyond exciting. Next year I’ll be joining Velocity Media, the company I’ve been freelancing for, as a leisure journalist. Writing about fashion, beauty and lifestyle and becoming a credible writer within those fields is my dream. So it’s safe to say that from next year, my passion will be my career! I know how few people are able to say that, so I’ll have you know that I’m very grateful for the opportunity. It’s crazy to think that at the beginning of this year I was nothing but a journalism undergraduate with nothing to my name, seeking any work I could get, and now I’m growing into a well-known blogger with a number of incredible work opportunities on my doorstep!

I think what’s important to note here is that hard work and determination is all it takes to reach your dreams. I don’t mean to get all deep on a Friday morning or anything, but it’s true. I feel the need to stress this point. I see far too many people who are too lazy and unwilling to work hard and make every day count. And it baffles my mind. How can you expect to reach your final destination AKA your dreams when you’re putting in minimal effort? It’s impossible! Working towards your dreams is a tough journey. It’s hard work and requires perseverance and utmost determination. It’s very tough, in fact, but it’s ever so rewarding. For me, that’s more than enough reason to continue pursuing my dreams with my whole heart.

Anyway, ramble over… Enough about that! Onto the next thing: The positive feedback I’ve received this week!

Thank you to everyone who’s liked and commented on my posts this week. I’ve received some amazing feedback, and for that I’m incredibly thankful. I’ve also started following back my followers, and I must say that I’m very impressed by what I’ve read on your blogs so far!

Please keep the wonderful comments coming darlings. Feedback – both good and bad – is what helps me write better.

On a lighter note, happy, happy Fri-yay-day to you all! I hope you all have a fantastic weekend! I’ll check in with you all again on Monday.

Love,

Cands