Happy Girls, Happy Monday

So. What I learnt this weekend (otherwise known as happy Monday musings):

1. a lit fireplace draws people in, creates actual and perceived warmth, makes red wine taste nicer and your dog lift her chin so she can get a little warmth on her chest. cute.

2. when the rugby is on, there’s not much else occupying your husband’s mind. Honestly. Just leave what you have to say/suggest/ask till the game is over (that includes post-match commentary)

3. when keen beans suggest an early morning run, don’t jump on the bandwagon because you know that it’s actually going to pour with rain in the morning and so it’s no point even setting an alarm and ruin your sleep. (guys you know who you are and I love you)

4. everyone needs to try skilpaadjies on the braai.

5. sometimes you just can’t connect. So stop trying and just let God…

6. it’s worth checking out your neighbourhoods and extended neighbourhoods a little. it’s also amazing the difference in culture, sounds, noise level, types of cars and sidewalk appeal. no kidding.

7. sleeping in is really worth it. best is getting out of your PJs and gown after 12pm.

8. reading a new book all the way through on a weekend means you have little to worry about, you have time to chill out and you are able to enjoy the preoccupation of a fictional world for 48 hours. bliss.

9. when you have a sudden urge for cheesecake, don’t go look at it over the edge of the counter at the shop. Rather get the ingredients and make one. if you have the time and the will, then go for baked.

10. give a little love. to everyone you know and life will be a better place. it really always is!

Happy Friday Folks! Forries Here I Come…

Hi all, just wishing you a happy Friday – I’m off to Forries for a well-deserved after-work glass of vino. Weekend plans:

• first ever yoga class
• coffee with the BFF
• some shoe shopping
• dinner/movie?
• run or mountain bike
• Mother’s Day coffee & croissants
• church x

Have a super weekend, have fun, be safe!

Hey Friday Hey! Have a Good Girl Weekend!

Hey lovelies! Hope your weeks have been good, but if they haven’t – it’s ok – it’s FRIDAY! Can you tell that I’m ready to head home? May your weekends be full of the nicest moments, and may you be the best Good Girl you can be 🙂 Would love to hear about your weekends – and what cool stuff you got up to.

Taken some pics at a market? Gone to a show? Spotted a cool DIY idea? Would love to know your ideas around awesome weekends! You can mail me on theggguide[at]gmail.com or DM me on twitter @theggguide. Keen for some weekend inspiration? My Pinterest account is growing alarmingly with the number of {prettyinspiration} boards, so be sure to check those out too over here.

Have a happy weekend!

A Thought for Friday: Happy Weekend!

As this very long, tiring week winds down, I leave you with Friday’s Thought: Those who seek the Lord shall not lack any good thing. Positive, uplifting and perspective-giving. May this weekend be filled with good things, great things and blessed things…

May you serve others, uplift those who are down and out, encourage a friend, give a hug, laugh out loud, smile at a stranger and love a lot! Have a happy weekend!

A Thought for Friday | 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.

Dream Nooks & Outdoor Retreats

I know there’s nothing quite like finding a seriously secluded outdoor spot, spreading out a blanket (or climbing into a hammock) and getting out a good book (Of the chick-lit variety)…I love outdoor nooks! I remember as a kid my best friend and I discovered some great ‘secret places’ in our nearby greenbelt (it was safer then), and on weekends we would disappear for hours just to hang out and be all secret like…

As an adult, not much has changed! If I’m away for the weekend and happen to find a great little spot in the garden or on the beach or somewhere close – it’ll be taken for the day! Today’s post on The Good Girls Guide is all about those Dream Nooks and Outdoor Retreats that you can read, sleep or dream in. Makes being in the office all that much harder. Enjoy!

Spring Romance Blossoming | source here.

Forest of Green | source here.

Into the Blue | source here.

Table for Two | source here.

Breezy Summer Reading Spot | source here.

Pasta Carbonara with Baby Marrows | Recipes to Enjoy

As it’s chilly, wet and cold today in Cape Town, I’d thought I’d share a delicious easy to prepare and WARM recipe that I used last week – to great acclaim from my husband – and it tasted amazing! If you’re a pasta fan – then read on 🙂

Pasta Carbonara (this recipe taken from Pick’nPay.com) is a classic Italian dish, and one thing I did find interesting is that they say to use pecorino cheese (not parmesan) as it’s the traditional way of making it. Pecorino is a bit more expensive however, so feel free to use freshly grated parmesan (not the finely ground pre-done one) if you like.

So, from The Good Girls Guide – enjoy this awesome tummy warmer this weekend:

Pasta Carbonara with Baby Marrows | source here.

Ingredients

• 1 packet  spaghetti
• 6 baby marrows, cut into thin strips
• 1 dash olive oil, for frying
• 1 packet back bacon, cut into strips
• 2 cloves of garlic, or 3, finely chopped
• 4 large free range eggs, beaten
• 125 ml pecorino cheese, finely grated
• 1 pinch salt and milled pepper

Instructions

• Cook pasta according to packet instructions. Add baby marrows 2 – 3 minutes before the end of cooking. Drain and set aside.
• Heat a glug of oil in a large pan and fry bacon until crispy.
• Remove and drain on kitchen paper.
• Drain excess fat from pan and fry garlic for a minute.
• Add pasta, baby marrows and bacon to pan and toss well.
• Remove pan from heat. Quickly stir through the eggs, mixing until they begin to thicken, but not scramble.
• Add cheese, season and serve.
• ** Pecorino is a hard rind cheese similar to parmesan, originally made from sheep’s milk.

Enjoy with love and have a super weekend 🙂