New Beginnings as Spring arrives!

Welcome readers!

Spring has sprung in Cape Town and it brings with it a festive, happy mood for most... It brings the promise of new beginnings, rejuvenation, clearing the cobwebs (from the mind as well), flowers and sunshine. This week started off really chilly, and Spring Day was pretty dreary, but in true Cape Town style we end the week with high temperatures and sunshine. 

I had a great opportunity yesterday to be interviewed on a local radio station, more about that once the host announces the new program and airing time, and I officially introduced whats been keeping me feverishly busy. For the past couple of weeks, I have been setting up a business consultancy and in the midst of this my wardrobe consulting has just taken flight. 

It's called the Wardrobe Audit (read more about it here) and is aimed at streamlining the wardrobe, so that one has really good quality investment pieces, which will transcend a few seasons. Its a physical "Spring Clean" of the wardrobe, and a mini workshop around what works for you, your style, job, body type and skin tone. 

Most of my lookposts include investment pieces which have been in my wardrobe for a while, and I wear them all the time, paired with recent more trendier or high fashion pieces. If you're struggling to get dressed in the mornings, or have the "I don't have anything to wear" syndrome regularly; or find that your clothes are in such chaos that you don't know how to co-ordinate them or even find them, with a wardrobe thats bursting with clothes, give me a shout...

Today's post features really good basics which are from previous seasons, except the quilted leather skirt. Inspired by Fashion Week streetstyles, I usually commission a designer to make me a high fashion item which I may not find in the stores. This skirt was custom made for me by Abashiya Achilles (Fabulous in Hijab), who usually knows exactly what I want. She keeps my measurements on hand (so I need to make sure they stay the same!) and voila, she's sorted my piece.

Have a wonderful weekend darlings, hopefully this gorgeous weather holds up!

My outfit:

Guess denim jacket (really old)

Mango mohair knit (last season)

Bespoke Leather skirt by Fabulous in Hijab

Suede booties (several seasons ago)

Ted Baker bag (last season)

Scarf (old)

Country Road leggings

Guess silver earrings

Giorgio Armani sunglasses by Sunglass Hut

Caio for now, 

RuBe xoxo

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Modest OOTD & talking life

Hi lovelies,

What an insane week, being nurse, taxi, mommy and trying to get work in as well.... But life throws us challenges and it's up to us to handle them with patience and tenacity. It also teaches our kids important lessons on life and illustrates firsthand how to deal with obstacles head on. 

On this Friday, the eve of my 38th birthday, I contemplate my life and the choices I have made. I can safely say that my choices have all placed me on a path to a better me, it may have been difficult in the beginning, but happily there are no regrets. Of course there have been times of adversity, I believe to test my strength and faith, but after perseverance they have resulted in good outcomes. My personal motto is to deal with issues, get them out of the way so that you can continue on your path. Dwelling on the past, or getting stuck in what was, or has happened, is never a healthy way to live, in fact it draws too much energy.

The naivete of youth does not always allow one to have this philosophical approach to life, and in due time as things in life fall into place, the enlightenment is embraced (hopefully). I spent my youth making really tough decisions and keeping my eye on the end result always, while others were carefree and relaxed; however it has strengthened me in so many aspects of my life. I am therefore really grateful to have found my place of peace, and unconditional love with so many moments of simple happiness. 

I am thankful to be where I am today. 

Today's post is a simple monochrome look, which I just had to break with red suede pumps. Most pieces in this outfit are current season, except the shoes and bag... So for once my OOTD features recent buys, but as always these items are good quality and would probably last a few seasons. Of course the long sequined cardigan from A Sense of Style was a necessary purchase, if you're a regular reader you'll know how I love my sequins! It's also a perfect piece for any modest fashionista since it covers everything :-D

My outfit:

A Sense of style long cardingan (check out her FB here)

Country Road shirt (buy similar here)

Woolworths skinny jeans (shop here)

Guess Heels 

Handbag purchased abroad (on a sale)

Woolworths scarf

Honey gem bracelet

Old Layered pearl necklace 

Caio for now, 

RuBe xoxo

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Transitional jumpsuit OOTD

Dear Readers, 

This week has really chased Summer away and the chill is now palpable. Giving rise to the need for transitional outfits, and just because I’m not ready to let Summer go, I mix and layer items for the changing seasons.

School has also started again, and with it the crazy schedule has kicked in. At times I wonder how I managed to cope with all this running around, homemaking, coaching and mentoring kids and working really hard on a career! 

As things happens, the more you have to do, as a mom you just squeeze it into the time you do have. Multitasking in an attempt to keep everyone happy, losing sleep because the brain is trying to sort out things for the next day - that’s how we do it! I have realised recently, that it is essential to remember (despite knowing this) to take time out for myself. The art is to not feel guilty, as one does, and I often do, that I could be doing something else for the kids, the home, husby, family and so on and so on…

And so, I realise that I know all these things, I know all the tips to remain a sane SAHM - I have forgotten to take that time out. Time to get my act together and plan, add those time outs to the diary… And unlike my corporate job, which encroached on my family time and life, it still had an end at some point. My current ‘occupation’ doesn’t have an end, it continues as long as I am conscious and awake and able to squeeze in that extra errand or trip to school. Leave from my job used to entail carefully planned days off, spa trips, reading time, time to watch a movie or series catchup, lunches and even extra sleep so that I could return to the office refreshed! Now I try to fit in a massage and it has to be a quick trip before fetching kids from school, or read in the car whilst waiting outside music class. 

I am therefore on a mission, to REMEMBER me in my daily tasks as a wife, mum, homemaker, administrator, bookkeeper … Wish me luck!

Today’s lookpost is a transitional one where I have layered a ’summery’ printed jumpsuit, but demonstrate how to wear it for Autumn, with a denim jacket and sneakers for an everyday SAHM. It can also be dressed up with heeled pumps, a warm longer length blazer for the office.

Outfit:

MrP jumpsuit (old)

Guess denim jacket

Old Khaki scarf

Adidas Adipure 360 sneakers

Necklace Collette Hayman

Forever New Rose gold earrings 

Ted Baker handbag by Stuttafords

Caio for now,
RuBe xoxo

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Oversized Denim on Denim

 Hi lovelies, 

This week has flown by in haze of exam stress, helping my little one study by setting mock exam papers, math tutoring, the usual house keeping, carpooling and so on. It’s no wonder I feel this intense yearning for a tranquil vacation, to recharge the batteries. And even though things are crazy for a SAHM like me, the fact is I wouldn’t change it for the world. I get to chat to my kids after every exam, discuss the days events without the worries of corporate deadlines looming at the back of my mind. 

My boys are at such a critical age, and its usual for teenagers to be moody and reclusive, I am really thankful to have open, chatty young men full of wisecracks and laughter. My home is a constant buzz of bickering, music, kitchen noises (as they eat all the time) and of course the really loud drums!!! During this exam period though it has become silent, making me realise how much life and laughter they inject into our lives.

Today's look is another morning brunch outfit I put together some time ago. The over sized shirt is a trend I can really live in. It’s perfect for the strange weather were experiencing right now, and a perfect cover up for modest fashionistas. It’s also a slight stonewash, which I like, I really don’t think I can pull off the heavy stonewash considering I remember it being on trend previously. I finished the denim on denim outfit off with red accents.

My outfit:

MrP Oversized shirt

ZARA jeans

Guess heels

Scarf from Indian Fair

Country Road bag

Giorgio Armani sunglasses from Sunglass Hut

Lovisa Midi Rings

Ciao for now,
RuBe xoxo

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Farewell to Winter with a detox

Hi beautiful readers, 

Winter is finally behind us, and it’s time to get ready for Summer and vacations, yay!

Today marks the end of a serious 10 day detox programme that I’ve been on and I have to say it has been hard, but I can really feel a difference. 

This detox exercise started some time ago with a detox of the mind, last months focus on yoga and meditation really cleansed my mind. It helped me focus on what’s important, especially after an illness, one does tend to take stock of things. Thereafter a detox of life, cleaning up things which don’t add value and issues which are not worth expending energy on. 

Finally, a physical detox which involved a 10 day cleanse and eliminating caffeine, sugar, wheat, red meat, poultry, dairy, all gluten products from my diet and consuming mostly fresh fruit and vegetables- preferably all organic. Initially I thought it would be really hard, but it was actually bearable aside from missing my morning coffee :-( A few essentials from the Wellness Warehouse helped me along the way and I have emerged!

From tomorrow, I will slowly start introducing a few of these back into my diet, but I feels loads better- lighter and unburdened in a way.

So today’s lookpost is the last of my winter looks… with this coat which I foresee will continue being active next winter.

My outfit:

Jacket own import

Pnp Jeggings

Adidas Grazelle sneakers

Guess Striped knit

Cotton On beanie

Rings various

Aldo earrings

Ciao for now, 

RuBe xoxo

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