Haze by Christine Bernard | Book Review & Giveaway

Haze Christine Bernard Book Review Giveaway

Hello lovelies, I hope you are all well.  Let me just take a second to apologise for being so quiet of late. But this time of the year things are generally crazy in my world.

But hey that is no excuse, so I will pull myself together and start writing more.

So let me get back to the book that I am reviewing. Haze is the second book I read by Christine Bernard, a South African author. This book really reminded me about our relationships with the ones we love and how being too consumed in our own little world can compromise those relationships.

If you are planning to read this book, I promise not to reveal too much. At the end of this review, I will be doing an ebook copy giveaway of Haze.

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Why jeans shopping is an unpleasant and tedious task

 

jeans shopping unpleasant tedious task

This past weekend I went shopping with the intention to find the perfect pair of jeans. I knew finding that perfect pair wouldn’t be easy but I also did not expect it to be an unpleasant and tedious task.

To be blunt – it was demoralizing.

Look, I get the whole “our bodies change as we get older” explanation. Damn, I get it clearly as I’m experiencing it.

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Attitude Gratitude – October Journal

Hey peeps! Can’t believe it’s actually 1 November. How quick has this year gone by? It’s crazy to think that we literally only have 2 months left of 2018.

October has been a bit of a laid back month for me. I can’t quite put my finger on it because it had the same busy routine as all the other months, perhaps I just took things in my stride. Sometimes it’s good just to slow down and let all the craziness just unfold around you.  Also we have been experiencing adverse weather patterns with a heatwave that swept through the Western Cape last week; so that could also have been a contributing factor to my unperturbed attitude.

Here is a summary of what I was grateful for during October:

Medical Aid

Medical aid in South Africa is very costly and many don’t have this benefit. Driving past the day hospital every day and witnessing how people queue in a line at 06h00 in the morning for healthcare makes me appreciative for what I have. I am extremely grateful that my family and I have the benefits of medical aid which allows us immediate access to health care  More so that I work for an organisation who provides this benefit to its employees at an affordable cost.

Collaboration

I recently attended a Vision Board Workshop as part of a blogger collaboration with Sonja McKaiser from The Creative Space with Sonja. I am forever grateful for this opportunity and that I was selected to participate in this workshop. Attending the vision board workshop gave me a new perspective on my future goals. During this process I recognised my dreams, hopes and fears and the things that are holding me back.

Kind Gestures

This month there were two incidents that made my heart happy. The first incident was when my daughters and I went shopping and we were at the fruit and veg section. A customer by accident let the whole cart of apples fall over. Instead of walking past, my daughters assisted by picking up all the apples out of their own free will.

The second incident was when a colleague unexpectedly treated me to lunch. Sometimes people surprise you when you least expect it. I  am grateful for the generosity and great working relationship.

Shared Knowledge and Skills

We had a bit of car trouble and thank goodness I have a husband who is hands on. Even more so that I have a dad who is a retired motor mechanic. Although my dad is getting old and is doing things at a slower pace; I am thankful that he can still share his knowledge and skills with my husband. They managed to fix the problem.

Soberoctober

If you don’t know by now, I gave up alcohol for a month. Not that I’m a huge alcohol drinker and get completely sloshed – that happened in my 20’s. But I do like socialise with a glass or two – ok make it five. Different countries have different campaigns associated to this challenge. In the UK the campaign is in support of cancer and in South Africa it is to raise awareness about alcohol abuse. My reasons for abstaining from alcohol was in support of both cancer and alcohol abuse.

Let me just say that my entire October was filled with social events where great food and of course alcohol was served. So it was a bit of a challenge. Nevertheless, I resisted the temptation and am grateful that I had the strength to persevere and follow through with this challenge.

Trusted Confidant

I am grateful that someone trust me enough to share their personal problems with me. Sometimes all they need is someone to listen, empathize and encourage them without giving advice. I am thankful and honored that this person feels safe sharing their personal struggles with me and that I can give the assurance that what is shared will stay confidential.

Time with family

Time with family is always special for me. It is something that no amount of money can ever buy. I am grateful for the laughter, the conversations and memories made.

I hope you all have a fantastic November!


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Creating a Vision Board – The Creative Space with Sonja

creating vision board creative space sonja

“If you can dream it, you can do it.”  Sound familiar? We’ve heard it before and yes we all dream; but how many of us put our dreams into actions. Sometimes it is not all that easy. Often life has a way of throwing a curve ball at you and you place your dreams on hold. And before you know it, it becomes non-existent.

Writing down your goals are fantastic but hiding what you transcribed in a draw is meaningless. Goals need an applied mindset and commitment, without that, chances are it will never manifest into real achievements. Honestly speaking, this is exactly where I found myself. Looking back over the past 10 years; I’ve only achieved 7 of the 10 goals I set for myself.

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Parental Peer Pressure: The sleepover issue

parental peer pressure sleepover issue

From the age of six both my daughters have been receiving invitations for sleepover parties. With the kids being older, sleepover requests are still streaming in. Our stance on this is – we simply do not allow sleepovers at friends.

Before I continue, sleepover exceptions include staying over at their grandparents and cousins, go on school camps and for the first time this year my eldest daughter went to a one-night group sleepover at school. As for the group sleepover at school; our kids attend an all girls school and the sleepover is a social event organised for a specific grade. Well supervised by female teachers, they have a programme of activities lined up for the girls and they all sleep in the school hall that is secured.

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MUTE BY CHRISTINE BERNARD | A BOOK REVIEW & GIVEAWAY

mute christine bernard book review giveaway

Hello lovelies and welcome to my first book review. Plus there is a lovely surprise in store, I’m doing a giveaway at the end of the review.

To be honest, I was a bit perplexed when I read the title of this book. But upon reading the book, I was so intrigued and found myself reading it for hours and not wanting to put it down. This book made me think about life and our relationships with people.

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Attitude Gratitude: September Journal

Attitude gratitude September journal

Oh hello lovelies. I know I’m a bit late at posting my September Gratitude Journal but the last few days of the month was a bit crazy. Flu and bronchitis has hit my household and with the sneezing season at its peak; it made the symptoms worse.

But with everyone slowly getting back to being healthy and their normal selves; it gave me a chance to reflect on the month that was. September in particular was a good month but we also received some bad news for our country’s economy.  At the start of September it was announced that our country was entering a technical recession. The first economic recession since 2009.

So with the Rand dropping to an all-time low, inflation on the rise, the petrol price constantly increasing which has a ripple effect on all other prices – how do we still stay positive? Or do we continuously stay angry, complain and be sceptical about what is happening.

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Travelstart survey discloses: The things that South Africans miss about home while abroad

travelstart survey discloses things South Africans home abroad

As a South African who has travelled abroad for a holiday, it was about keeping an open-mind. In essence travelling abroad is about the experience, visiting new places, different cultures and the people you meet.  In 2012, I travelled to Australia along with my family to attend a wedding which occurred in November. We decided to make it a 6 week holiday and stay for Christmas. But 3 weeks into our holiday, I became homesick. I had enough and wanted to go home. And although, Australia and its people were wonderful and I enjoyed my stay up to that point, it wasn’t home. It wasn’t South Africa and best of all it wasn’t beautiful Cape Town.

I missed Cape Town and its familiarity.  The things that I never imagined I would miss, I yearned for. Things that I often took for granted whilst back at home.

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12 years of motherhood and loving it

12 years motherhood loving

My daughter, Lea is in such a happy mood this morning. Hopping, skipping and singing at the top of her voice. It’s her birthday and she has been waiting for this day to arrive with eager anticipation.  I watch her and smile.  There is so much love that is booming at the moment.  A love that is eternal and unmeasurable.

As I watch her, an exhilarating feeling comes over me. This child made me a mother. Knowing that my husband and I made this human, and that she is half mine and his DNA. Like my kids will always say “we are the best thing that ever happened to the two of you.”

And they are spot on, they are the best thing that ever happened to us. Knowing what we know now, life without them would be pretty dull.

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