RuBe’s Closet - Modest Fashion and Lifestyle: 2012

Tuesday, 25 December 2012

2012- the year that was - featuring Awesum-WP

It’s that time of the year, when everyone winds down and spends precious time with family. I have been reflecting on the year that has been, and it has been a chaotic one! We have had so many things happening that it’s so right to be off on a sabbatical to recover from the year that was 2012.

We embarked on a huge renovation of our home in November last year and it resulted in almost entire demolition and rebuilding! But by February, thanks to the hard work of my contractor (aka my brother:-D) we were able to move back home. It was a trying time; hubby and I “squatted” with my sister, while my kids lived with the grandparents- getting more spoilt as the days passed.

During this time, we suffered a traumatic fire, where our car caught alight whilst driving (with all 5 of us inside!). It was a terrifying experience, as we struggled to bring the car to a stop, and ensure that the kids were out of the car in time. What made it more difficult is that Ghaalid’s car is a two-door, which meant that I would have to get out and then try to get the boys out. We eventually managed to all get out, and dash as far from the car as possible. Two minutes later, the car was engulfed in flames, I had a sobbing 7 year old on my hands and two shocked teens. It was such a surreal experience; I still get goosebumps just thinking back to that day in January. We are so blessed that no one was hurt.

The M3 before the fire

AWESUM-WP going up in flames ;-(

Anyone who knows me knows I love fashion; anyone who knows my husband, Ghaalid, would know that he loves his car. It is his baby, called AWESUM-WP, and always accessorised with wheels and other bits I am not too familiar with. The fire was therefore a double blow as he saw his family being bundled out of the burning car and his prized possession go up in flames. His BMW M3 was his pet project, right down to the mags and accessories.

The new AWESUM-WP

Off on errands:

Formula one TAG Heuer (My anniversary gift from Hubby bought on the cruise :-D), gifted tennis bracelet

TopShop Ring

Wallet gift from my sister

I am wearing:

There are so many other incidences, many of which one would look back at and realise it’s good to be grateful to live each day. It might not always be easy, but we’re blessed with health, loved ones, a place to live and so many other opportunities.

I am therefore appreciative of all I have and being able to enjoy each day.

Happy Holidays and Be Safe!!

Ciao for now,

RuBe xoxo

Thursday, 20 December 2012

Stay at Home SuperHero Mum

It has now been about 3 weeks since I left work to start my sabbatical, and as strange as it may sound, I am seriously missing work! It is amazing to be able to spend every day of the school holidays with my kids, however exhausting it may be. But one does miss the purpose of getting dressed up in your formals and heading to the office or some meeting. People say, ‘enjoy it” and “I wish I was in your shoes” and “how lovely it must be to have nothing to do”!

Nothing! That’s the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard! Instead, my kids have usurped all the “free time” that I am now blessed with. I have found myself taking the train to Kalk Bay beach (again), baking cookies, setting up art and painting areas and playing chess. Previously, I would have been too tired to do these activities #sad&embarrassed#, had I just finished a day at the office. Since staying at home though, I barely have the time to post as much as I would like, or take photos as much as I would like!

I now have a great respect for stay at home mums (SAHM’s) who devote their days to raising their offspring, foregoing the corporate ladder and formal suits. Any woman, who has a family and a home to take care of, is a modern day superhero in my eyes. Especially with all the car pooling and lifting (which I spend a lot of my time doing), endless meals for hungry kids, setting up play dates, getting dirty helping future gardeners and painters. Setting up campsites indoors, sleeping bags, running to the store for supplies for whatever new activity the day has brought, cheering from the sidelines at sports matches and packing treat boxes. The list can go on and on...

This post is a tribute to SAHM’s who are often forgotten and always envied as women who “do nothing”! Hats off to you ladies!

And since I miss my work wear and dressing up in the morning, I’ve added another short look post of one of my work outfits:

Wearing:

Trenery dress & Cardigan|Witchery heels|Sass Diva Neckpiece|Guess Watch|Tiffany bangle

Ciao for now,

RuBe xoxo

Saturday, 15 December 2012

Anniversary cruise in style

On the balcony of our cabin

The last two weeks have been a whirlwind of school commitments, work lunches and awards ceremonies. (That’s the reason for my lack of writing and blogging. I visited Dalebrook tidal pool in Kalk Bay, travelled there by train and spent a lovely morning on the beach with around 120 grade 2 learners! What a quaint little gem of a town, I certainly plan to visit again soon.

As crazy busy as it has been, I would not change a single thing. #reallyspecialtimes.

My family and I were privileged enough to depart on a 3 day MSC Sinfonia cruise to nowhere. Since it was my first time cruising with my boys, I thought a 3 day cruise would be the best way to test their tolerance for it.

Checking in our bags

All my boys ready to set sail

En route to the cabins

The trip was extra special as Ghaalid and I were celebrating our anniversary, and wanted to do it in a different setting with the boys. With reference to my previous post, this is truly an achievement as we were celebrating 17 years of marriage! We got married really young, despite all the misgivings around us- we wanted to be with each other and saw no reason to wait. So at 18 years old, I tied the knot with my soul mate. I feel like he is this special person, who knows me inside out, who knows what I am feeling without me having say anything. He’s my best friend, my confidant, my biggest fan and supporter. I feel really blessed to have him and my gregarious 3 boys in my life. It has not been easy, but one has to work at it and breed a culture of compromise and understanding and trust combined with loads of fun!

Bye bye Cape Town

The scene of the Oh Ship! Festivities

The cruise was nothing less than spectacular, it also happened to be the 5FM Oh Ship! Cruise which added that extra party vibe. We enjoyed a couples massage at the Spa in the most amazing room overlooking the endless sea. The theatre shows were good, restaurants offered lovely meals. My boys enjoyed the kid’s cub, having a balcony cabin all to themselves for the 4 days (we were unable to dock in the harbour when planned due strong winds), countless smoothies from the juice bar and just enjoyed it to their hearts content. (A-la Suite life on deck!)

Ihsaan (who loves Swiss Roll) was in love with this choc one!

Relaxing on deck

Ameer & Ihsaan enjoying the pool

View from deck, lounging after our massage

The infamous smoothies

Watching the dolphins

I could seriously do a longer cruise…. Now that I know I can handle the intense and constant swaying of the ship!

A few of my onboard purchases

Hello CT!

Ciao for now!

RuBe xoxo

Tuesday, 4 December 2012

Celebrating the milestones

I recently attended a stunning all white party at my brother’s home in Sunset Beach. My sister in law turned 30 and had planned the most spectacular farewell to her twenties and grand hello to her thirties. It really got me thinking about how I spent my 30^th, not at all thrilled at leaving my twenties behind. I was not happy at the prospect of being a “thirty-year-old”, and despite my achievements I felt as if I still had so much to do!

Final check before heading out

I actually forgot my camera, and the lighting was so muted, my picture quality is not at its best :(

Birthday girl, Simin, and I

Some really delectable desserts

And some more....

Seeing Simin (my sister-in-law) address this milestone birthday with such open enthusiasm made me realise that’s its best to celebrate the here and now. It’s important to realise that tomorrow is not a certainty, so do what you dream of or aspire to and enjoy every minute of every day.

Somewhere along the line I may have gotten side-tracked and forgotten this mantra. It could be mommy duties, work responsibilities and time passing so rapidly that I did not pause and step back from the rat race.

The party was sensational to say the least. The décor was stunning, white paper lanterns strung along the ceiling and the trees had twinkling fairy lights. The entertainment took the form of belly dancers and fire dancers. It was different and so much fun! The belly dancers gave lessons while the party continued with dancing, good food and lovely company.