Holiday fever

 Holidays are here! 

And with it the balmy days, evening swims and the smell of braai wafting around. It signals downtime in my home, when mommy duties can relax. I don't have to police bedtime, remember crazy schedules, check homework and plan lunch box snacks. I love it, and I fully intend to revel in my downtime, without sweating the small stuff.

While this week has brought the school holidays, for my matric son it started a while ago. And I have to dig deep to be ok with him being out with friends who have access to their own cars. He doesn't need me to plan his outings, drive to and fro and merely sends me updates on where he is, and when he'll be home. During the past two weeks our dinner table has been significantly empty, with the teenagers out and about. I now have to check who will be home for dinner so that I cook for fewer people. It makes me want to hold onto the youngest a little tighter in the hopes that I can delay the inevitable growing distance between mom and babe.

There have been so much going on that I didn't fully comprehend that the year has flown by; in the blink of an eye I am back to feeling exhausted and totally ready for a break. I can clearly remember last year this time, deciding to take my annual break from blogging, mom's taxi duties, personal chef and, of late, the designated cleaning lady! But reflecting on what this year has brought me, and what has transpired, I feel like a completely new person. 

I have learnt to accept my traumas as a factor of my growth.

I have learnt to accept myself, weaknesses and all.

I have grown so much in terms of academic knowledge, and also

in terms of coming to terms with who I am and who I want to be.

I have learnt to listen to my body, and 

have successfully managed to avoid kidney infections (which I suffer with chronically) and other illnesses.

I am grateful for a supportive and loving family, 

for a husband who is there when I need him and 

supports and loves me unconditionally. 

I have learnt that I will constantly be growing and therefore life will always be hectic, I have come to terms with constantly evolving and working on being a better version of myself.  

Today's outfit is to invite the holiday mode into my style choices...

I have paired a loose t-shirt silk dress, with leggings, flat sandals and a loosely wrapped scarf.

Light and airy for Summer!

Outfit details:

Cheryl Arthur dress from Spree (shop similar here)

Forever 21 leggings

Old Khaki Scarf (shop similar here)

Dune London embellished sandals

Accessorise necklace

Sunglasses from Zulululu

Caio fro now, 

RuBe xoxo

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Beat the Summer heat…

Welcome readers, 

The first full week of school and work, and we sure had some scorchers! Life has returned to normal, and even though I am armed with the intentions to balance life, my first week was a bit of a crazy one. There are certain things which are outside of my control so I will have to focus on balancing those things I can control. Kids schedules, sport commitments, music classes and all the rest were a distant memory when I started this year with enthusiasm. 

As always, life happens, and the original plans need to be altered to tie in with my objectives; taking into account any detours on the path. No matter, I have opened myself up to embrace things as they happen, with the ethos that if it was meant for me it will happen. I have also been trying to let the reins go of things that don’t matter as much and not trying to control everything around me.

Let It Go. 

If it is not an integral part of your plan, or it is not a life and death situation, just let it go. It is also important to be able to distinguish between issues which are not yours, and when people attempt to dump at your door. Steer clear of drama, those who are constantly in victim mode and those who always blame someone / something else for their circumstances. In time they too will realise that the only way to improve your life is by looking inwards. One needs to start the change from the inside and the rest will happen; and realise that nobody else is responsible for your journey but you.

There is no foolproof recipe for living a better spiritually balanced life, and we all just try our best, but if you are mindful of the above, you are on the right path.

I have found myself drawn to whites, this past few weeks and I am certain it’s due to an inner calm I have found. This white cottage dress from Gadija Khan is perfect to beat the heat, it’s light and flowy and super modest. It can be worn open as a light throw over skinnies and t-shirt or as a dress with leggings, so its really trend and versatile.

Outfit details:

Cottage dress by Gadija Khan Designs (check put her pieces here)

ZARA pants

Burberry scarf bought abroad

Woolworths leather sandals (buy here)

Kate Spade handbag bought abroad

Rebelfunk statement necklace (buy similar here)

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Holiday Lookpost

Hello again readers, 

Life has not yet returned to normal from the chaos of an impromptu family wedding this past weekend, and having our Australian guests depart for home. 

I have so many photos of my trip for my Dubai post, it’s taking a while to sift through what I’d like to share. What I did manage to do one morning was shoot a relaxed lookpost on the grounds of our amazing hotel, Jumeirah Beach Hotel. These were taken on our way to one of the breakfast spots on the hotel premises. Looks like a dream, doesn’t it?

Thanks Mark for the hook up. #markcross 

The weather was always really warm, so I would opt for lightweight clothing as the days were usually pretty humid, even early in the morning. My favourite item of clothing for this kind of weather is usually a maxi skirt or dress, paired with sandals. In this case a pair of flat sandals as the days usually involved loads of walking. An essential accessory for the burning sun is always a hat or peak cap, and this one always travels with me as it is a packable hat and doesn’t lose shape when packed flat.

This is one of my favourite maxi skirts, since it combines colour with animal print - a typical River Island piece. I was lucky and managed to grab it on a previous year’s sale abroad. Paired with a t-shirt by Lucy Goretti, from the Style Society Pop Up Boutique.

All photos shot at Jumeirah Beach hotel, Dubai

Photographer:  Ghaalid Behardien

My outfit:

Lucy Goretti T-shirt 

River Island skirt

ZARA sandals

Accessorise hat

Wardrobe bag from Asos

Tiffany & Co heart earrings (anniversary pressie)

Lips by Dior

Giorgio Armani sunglasses from Sunglass Hut

Caio for now, 

RuBe xoxo

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Relaxed New Year

Hey lovelies!

I hope your stormy weekend was a good one preferably spent indoors?

With all the flash flood warnings, and the traffic cautionary mentions it is hard not to spare a thought for the needy and those who do not have shelter in such disastrous weather!

It was a fulfilling weekend for me, as I prepared party packs for the kids attending Muslim School for our Islamic New Year celebrations. It’s a time of reflection, of introspection, and so shortly after our pilgrims returning home, one is still in a very spiritual state of mind.

Hubby and I spent the Sunday afternoon, delivering our Zakaah (obligatory payment made annually under Islamic law on certain kinds of property and used for charitable and religious purposes)  which was such a heartwarming task! At the same time it was heartbreaking as we chose to donate to people we knew, and seeing them so grateful for the little they have, makes it hard at times. 

I have tried to continue with charity work, and with this past year experiencing health issues, and concentrating my sabbatical on my family and kids has shifted my focus. This will be a New Year Resloution- to once again resume my acts of charity on a more regular basis.

The look post I have for you today… is my typical week or soccer mom look. Sneakers have now found that special place alongside my coveted heels!

This is an old Trenery dress (probably around 3 years old) paired with Country Road leggings and Guess denim jacket to ward off that unexpected chill.

My outift:

Trenery dress

Guess denim jacket

Country Road leggings

Converse Sneakers

Silk Scarf (old)

Aldo earrings

Ciao for now, 

RuBe xoxo

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