Susann, Author at Living Our Sunshine with Susann Deysel

March 8, 2021 1 Min Read

Breakfast at (not) Tiffany’s

𝐈 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐛𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐤𝐟𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐬 𝐢𝐧 (𝐋𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐥𝐞) 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐬! If I could, I would make it an ‘every Saturday kinda thing’.

I still can’t get over these 2. Sometimes they are perfect little angels and other days they are bats out of hell. When I see them doing something as simple as pulling a flower closer, I realise that this experience might be a first – and then I snap a photo so I can remember it forever.

What moment was most precious for you this weekend?

March 8, 2021 1 Min Read

I have purpose

Until I had kids, the most important person I had to worry about was me. When they arrived I had to check my baggage and needs at the door but as they got older I could claim back time for myself again.

Now here we are, 4 years in with Lexa and 2 years in with Kitten… 👨‍👩‍👧‍👧 one little family caught up in the middle of a pandemic in a year where hubby and I celebrated our 10 year anniversary.

💬 Share your best advice or favourite quote on raising kids.

February 21, 2021 1 Min Read

I’m an adult now

I have become the mom that can juggle the baby in the arm while moderating a Zoom meeting and doing work – on 2 computers nogal
I get up every day and dress the kids to make sure they get to school on time
I get to work on time every single day – just kidding, my office has been in my house for 4 years already
We don’t do as many takeaways as we used to… thank goodness
We go out on little trips for the kids almost every weekend

I may be an adult now, but I still need a parent – sometimes. My remaining parent unfortunately lost sight of the importance of family and I couldn’t stand by while my family fell apart.

February 12, 2021 1 Min Read

Stick your neck out like a giraffe

At one spot between Satara and Tshokwane we stumbled upon a journey of 11 giraffes. It was an unusually big gathering of the ‘langnekke’ – it was such a beautiful sighting.

I could hear how they pulled the leaves from the trees and chew it and as the twigs snapped back towards the tree, it made a loud noise in the silence that surrounded us.

Stick your neck out like a giraffe for opportunities

So, like the giraffe who towers above the African canopy and can see predators coming from far away, I have my eyes set on a few opportunities for 2021. This year, where it stands in the shadow of the year that was, I dare you to stick your neck out just a little and see the opportunities just waiting for you.

Don’t hesitate to grab opportunities with both hands! Don’t be skaam.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CI20IFmJcsa/

February 12, 2021 1 Min Read

Burt’s Bees Mango Moisturising Lip Balm

Who loves the smell of freshly cut mango? I do – and apparently enough so that I would carry a Burt’s Bees Mango Moisturising Lip Balm in my handbag 😀 The minute my mask comes off, my lips get hydrated. The key ingredients in this lip balm are mango butter and coconut oil. No parabens, phthalates, petrolatum or SLS and no animal testing.

I’ve had Burt’s Bees lip balms and shimmers since they’ve landed in sunny SA. I love that it is a natural product range and has an endearing origination story of a beekeeper and artist that left big city life to live closer to nature and through a serendipitous meeting, and a little leftover beeswax… they gave us this 😀😘

@burtsbeesza products are available from Dischem and Takealot.

#burtsbeessa #burtsbees @greenqueen_pr #gifted #tradeexchange #BurtsBees #Summer #Mango #lipcare #lips #everydaycarry #lipbalm #skincare #southafricanblogger #beesknees

February 12, 2021 2 Mins Read

Standing Tall

This is new! I am definitely printing out this photo to keep…

The Voortrekker Monument doesn’t need a frame, but it does get my kids to stand in one place for more than 2 seconds.

It was a rainy day and the wind was howling through the arches – and yet, I still stood there raindrops clinging to my hair while the wind wipped them around, because this is my favourite place on the #VoortrekkerMonument #VTM

I had the top terrace all to myself while walking through the arches. It was a first. It was a perfect moment.

This time I didn’t walk the last set of stairs to see the cenotaph from the top. I will keep that moment for another time.

These 2 half pints of terror had a fun time running around like hooligans in the #VoortrekkerMonument #VTM – I was mortified at their piercing screams echoing through the 40mx40mx40m structure.

299 steps, a small price to pay to walk around in this beautiful monument with its 92mx2.3m marble frieze, 3.3 million stitch tapestry that took 9 women 8 years to complete, and a cenotaph that is touched by the sun on only the 16th of December every year.

For me, this is one of the most beautiful buildings in the world. It is a place of quiet reflection to study the story of my people and to always remember the vow they made.
Which South African monument is your favourite?

February 11, 2021 1 Min Read

Family snapped at the Eiffel

This is simply my favourite photo that hubby has ever taken ❤ and it is all because my 2 favourite minions are looking like they are having fun.

Who wants to drive here right now to go and snap a photo like this? You can be honest 😍

Little Paris Eiffel Tower Hartbeespoortdam

February 11, 2021 1 Min Read

Looking back

What an interesting year 2020 has been…

It started off like any other year but then it showed its ‘made in China’ label. The world lost many people too soon. Families were kept apart. The world came to a standstill.

I now check labels almost obsessively. ‘Made in South Africa’ makes it into my basket followed by anywhere else other than ‘made in China’.

I wear a mask, social distance and obsessively sanitise my hands. I take no chances and turn down invites.

I miss greeting friends with hugs and listening to the buzz of voices in crowded spaces. I miss walking without a mask and seeing people smile with more than their eyes.

February 9, 2021 2 Mins Read

Kindness during a pandemic

I’ve been avoiding enclosed malls since COVID hit in March last year – but today I ventured out…

Last year March I was at Hobby-X, I was working. Geek Media (that’s me) was live posting to Hobby-X’s accounts while chatting to exhibitors. I was aware of the virus that already had a foothold in China, US and Europe… I still remember saying to my husband that I hope someone hasn’t brought it over yet. The first case was announced on day 2 or 3 of the expo.
That was the last time I saw a lot of people in one enclosed space. I’ve avoided my usual mall-walking window-shopping excursions since.

Today I ventured out to Fourways Mall. It was eerily devoid of people. Starbucks wasn’t crammed to the brim as it always was. There wasn’t people walking on top of you or browsing through the clothing rails right next to you.
This is not how I remember shopping at Fourways was…

I made a point of greeting every worker today as I walked through Edgars, Woolworths, Miladys and Foschini. Everyone was trying to keep busy arranging clothes and cleaning – super eager to help and share more about the special deals available.

This is what it has come to, me not running through a shop and ignoring people or firmly telling them I don’t need help or I’m just browsing. It has come to where I stop to talk to people, asking random strangers how they are doing. I don’t want to be that person that makes the day worse in an already shitty situation.

I may not venture into a mall soon again, but I hope that when I eventually do return, they (the people) will all still there.

February 9, 2021 2 Mins Read

Valentine’s Gifts: A Special Valentine’s Day with Instax

With Valentine’s Day around the corner, Fujifilm Instax believes that this day of love should be about creating memories together. And what better way to ensure memories are shared than having an Instax instant camera present on the day, or perhaps as a present for the day?

With this in mind, we offer a few suggestions for a Valentine’s Day filled with shared memories.

An amazing Fujifilm Instax Mini 11 Valentine’s Camera Bundle

Reasons to love: Looking for that perfect gift for Valentine’s Day? Instax has you covered with a bundle you just can’t help but love. Conveniently packaged, you receive an Instax Mini 11 camera, a carry case, four packs of Mini film and two Mini photo frames. It’s a beautiful gift for a special day and at a great price.

Cost: R1749, available online or in select retail stores.

The Fujifilm Instax Square SQ1

Reasons to love: The latest camera from Instax, the SQ1 is the easiest way to get into capturing classic Square shaped photos. Not only is the SQ1 extremely easy to use, but it has been redesigned for better auto-exposure and selfies. Plus, with a range of accessories, it is sure to fit your loved one’s lifestyle.

Cost: R1999, available online or in select retail stores.

The Fujifilm Instax Mini Link printer

Reasons to love: The Instax Mini Link offers the perfect way to print those beautiful memories stored on a smartphone. It’s easy to set up through the app and offers a number of interesting extras, including “Match Test” mode which scores your compatibility with a friend or someone extra special.

Cost: R1899, available online or in select retail stores.

New Instax Mini and Square film

Reasons to love: When printing memories, there’s no reason to only stick with the regular white borders for your photos. Instax offers a range of interesting film types on the Mini side, including Pink Lemonade, Shiny Star, Candy Pop or Confetti, while Square prints look amazing in a Black frame.

Cost: Starting at R155 (pack of 10) for Instax Mini film, and R179 (pack of 10) for Instax Square film.