On Beauty…

I was browsing Facebook the other day and came across a post by Wynberg Girls High (where I went to school) about the 2013 Matric Dance; of course I had to read it – and was whisked off 10 years ago into my own dance, where I wore a cream top with matching satin gloves, and a long fish-tail satin skirt in wine red… things have certainly changed, but the concept of ‘what is beautiful’ hasn’t.

I read with admiration the speech made by this year’s head girl Lauren Gildenhuys, who hit the nail on the head when she described the difference between ‘being beautiful’ and ‘having beauty’:

I realised that the words beauty and beautiful have two very different meanings. Beauty is related to truth, goodness and grace, it dances in your souls and makes other people want to be around you for the right reasons. It is timeless, and it will not come off with make-up remover. It will touch hearts, not eyes. And so, although I want you all to know that you look beautiful tonight, what is more important is that you know that you each possess your own dazzling unique beauty, and will never lose it.

And just how beautiful is that? To know that each of us possess our own unique brand of beauty, and that beauty can be seen in moments, in a glance, in a landscape, in an action…I hope this has been inspirational, and that you know that we are all beautiful, because we have beauty.

Floral Inspiration: Bring Spring & Beauty into Your Home Decor

It’s August next month, and just around the corner is September – Spring! In Cape Town it traditionally rains on the 1st of September (pretty much every year), but it’s still a hopeful time of new things.

Flowers traditionally speak of celebration and new birth, but can also show love, appreciation, sympathy, joy and happiness.  I found this quote recently and it just emphasises the symbolism of flowers as something beautiful that grows from a seed:

“By cultivating the beautiful we scatter the seeds of heavenly flowers, as by doing good we cultivate those that belong to humanity“ – Robert A Heinlein

We often buy fresh-cut flowers for home, but after about 10 days you have to say ‘goodbye pretty roses’ or ‘farewell lovely proteas’… why not add the effect of flowers to your home though floral decor?

Florals do not have to mean your grandmother’s choice of lounge suite cover; in fact, florals can be amazingly attractive and uplifting to a room – whether real or imitation. And by imitation I do not mean fake flowers, but wall hangings, wallpaper, stickers, lighting fixtures and more. Have a look at my inspiration for Spring – Floral Decor!

Lilac Wall Art | source Victoria Hudgins on Project Wedding 

Black & White Flower Wallpaper | source Etsy.com

Wreath Around the Doorway | source Room Service

Real Flowers as Wallpaper | source Pinterest

Hanging Vases | source reasontobreathe.tumblr.com

Floral Prints on Canvas | source Etsy.com

Romantic Flower Fairy Lights | source Pinterest

Flower Heart Decor | source prima.typepad.com

Ways to Connect & Be Inspired More!

Hey Lovely Good Girls! Yes you! Did you know you can get even more of The Good Girls Guide on a daily basis? Our Twitter account is growing 🙂 I love sharing creative links to inspirational content, whether it’s wedding ideas, awesome recipes, storage & organisation ideas or general prettiness (and I know we can’t get enough of that!)

Check out The Good Girls Guide on Twitter or follow on Blog-Lovin’ – another cool way of bookmarking the site and getting updates on posts. I also have my own Pinterest account – with boards for all sorts including home decor, hairstyles, cute & quirky, sexy & beautiful, clothes to get hold of and clever ideas for DIY…in all, a great sounding board for my blog posts!

Thanks for supporting the blog, I have big plans to keep it growing and delivering more original great content & inspiration! Have a blessed day 🙂

Images from Baking Fool, We Can be Honest & Vi.Sualize.Us

Lashes to LOVE! | Makeup Inspiration

Ooh wow, super gorge! I love amazing dramatic lashes – there’s something about them that just says WHAM! I had false lashes for my wedding, and I must say it makes such a difference – particularly in the photos after.

So today on The Good Girls Guide I’ve found a collection of amazing Lashes Inspiration – yes some are TOTALLY over the top, but I vow to get invited to a mad dress up party where I can rock some of these babies! But of course, gorgeous natural lashes are also possible with natural-looking falsies, just apply with a little glue after applying your eye makeup and you’re good to go. Be wow girls!

SpiderLash Eyes | source here.

Dramatic on Pale | source here.

Halloween Lashes | source here.

Glamourous Eyelashes | source here.

Give Me Some Twiggy | source here.

Soft & Beautiful | source here.

Ice Queen & Fire | source here.

Elegant Eyelash Style | source here.

Dramatic Eyes to Wow & Amaze | Makeup Inspiration

Since it’s Friday, The Good Girls Guide thought it would be a good idea to inspire your makeup regime so you can focus on looking glam and gorgeous this weekend, rather than on being boring and same old same old…because no one like ‘second-hand-makeup-face’!

The key for me, has always been about THE EYES! Of course, dramatic eyes is not everyone’s scene, some prefer bold lipstick or well-applied foundation and blush, but there’s nothing that can touch the artistic ability and creativity of amazing eye makeup.

Whether it’s liquid liner in electric blue, bejewelled false eyelashes, or a combination of bright coloured eyeshadows – eye makeup is just gorgeous. But remember, to stand out from the crowd doesn’t necessarily require bright colours and crazy textures. You can easily get an incredible natural look through proper blending, the right mascara and complimentary face makeup. So without further ado – check out our Weekend Makeup Inspiration for Dramatic Eyes:

Accessorize in Colour | source here.

60s in the Nude | source here.

Dramatic Amazon Eyes | source here.

Open & Closed | source here.

Into the Distance | source here.

Bright Eyes & Bold Lashes | source here.