Living Our Sunshine with Susann Deysel
0 Shopping Cart
Category

Looking Great

Category
3 Mins Read

Pandora Me, meet the face behind the collection

There is something about owning a piece of Pandora jewellery and being able to make it your own. I wear my travel bracelet almost every day and if I pass a Pandora shop or seller I always pop in to take a look and maybe add another charm to my or the kids’ bracelets. The Rebelle in Wonderland Collection is currently speaking to me and the new Pandora Me Collection is truly a cute collection for Gen Z.

What makes you, you? Reinventing symbols in an entirely new way, Pandora Me explores self-identity through a brand-new collection of sterling silver micro dangle charms and single stud earrings, bracelets and a safety pin brooch that enables a new generation to create empowering jewellery looks based on the stories that make them who they are.

Reimagining the notion of miniature inkings through jewellery, looking at the way we use symbols and messages to express who we are as individuals, the small, hand-finished sterling silver symbols are powerful markers of personality and open to interpretation. From blue moons to bumble bees and music notes to magical unicorns, every piece has a meaning; it’s up to the wearer to define it.

The beauty of Pandora Me is that one person sees a symbol one way, and someone else sees it another way. It’s a more playful way to express yourself and your story — jewellery doesn’t have to be serious.

Pandora’s creative directors, Francesco Terzo and A. Filippo Ficarelli

The new collection is faced by the actor and activist, Millie Bobby Brown, who has signed a two-year contract to represent Pandora Me. The casual and cool campaign images, shot by noted photographer Cass Bird, feature Brown wearing her favourite symbols and sharing the personal stories behind each piece.

Are these pieces just too gorgeous?

Meet Millie Bobby Brown — The Face of Pandora Me

The 15-year-old actress is a multifaceted talent on and off the screen and her professional accolades are well-known. She captured the hearts of millions in major television roles and is set to make her silver screen debut in summer 2019.

Beyond her professional talents, Millie’s passions for important social causes elevated her to become the youngest person ever to be included on TIME Magazine’s annual “100 Most Influential People” list, and UNICEF appointed her the youngest Goodwill Ambassador in the program’s history.

In addition to her tell it like it is attitude, Millie’s 18 million Instagram fans follow her page for fashion moments, her impressive rap skills and behind the scenes look at her life.

When she’s not using her profile to celebrate personal stories with her fans, Millie uses her stardom to advocate against bullying and the negativity on social media.

Millie Bobby Brown was born on February 19, 2004 in Spain to British parents, and moved to Orlando, Florida in 2011 where talent scouts discovered Millie. She has three siblings, and today she resides in London and Atlanta, Georgia.

Read more about Pandora + Pandora Collections

by
Keep Reading
3 Mins Read

Turn your attention to the sea – and those who draw inspiration from it

One cannot collect all the beautiful shells on the beach. One can collect only a few, and they are more beautiful if they are few.

Anne Morrow Lindbergh

I love shells. I’m scared beyond words to pick them up from the beach because it might have an inhabitant that pops out unexpectedly – and I don’t want to see that!

While we were down in Ballito we went to Sage for breakfast and as per usual I browsed the little shops while dad and the eldest kid were in the park. That’s when I saw the most amazing piece of jewellery ever…

There it was, a choker with cowrie shells in sterling silver – and a matching ring. I had to have the ring immediately, but with my thin fingers it looked like I was playing with an adult’s jewellery. I left without buying a piece but couldn’t stop thinking about that ring and a few hours later, I was stalking the maker Miss D Jewellery on Instagram.

I inboxed her and met her the next day at the Ballito Pro to buy a cowrie shell ring. I walked away from the pop-up shop and placed an order for a pair of custom cowrie shell earrings. The night before delivery I message her to add a necklace with single pendant.

She met me in Salt Rock with a beautiful parcel – and I couldn’t wait to wear my new pieces. As she drove away I had the necklace on. By the time she exited the shopping centre the earrings were on me too. I couldn’t stop touching them – and I’ve mostly worn these pieces out in the last month.

I own other cowrie shell jewellery bought on Zanzibar and the Maldives – but this, I don’t know… It’s a little more special because I now know who the maker is; I can go back and add to my little collection; or even ask for a custom piece.

I love showing it off – and if you ask me for her details I’ll give it to you, because I want local makers to make it. I want everybody else to buy local too.

There is something about shells…

Shells are little magical things from the sea that wash up on the beach. Some are broken, some look new – and yet you can never be sure just how old they are. I love holding smooth shiny shells or the “crinkle cut” shells and gently running them between my fingers. It’s quite therapeutic when you sit and stare out over the ocean.

Every time I slip into the ocean, it’s like going home.

Sylvia Earle

I think there is a reason I am drawn to the sea and anything connected to it. It’s probably a reason I won’t ever speak about. I’m just thankful that I can carry something from it with me wherever I am.

by
Keep Reading
4 Mins Read

Start a tradition of a Mother’s Day with meaning

I don’t need more jewellery, gifts or breakfast in bed this Mother’s Day. In our family (when I was growing up) we never celebrated the Mother’s/Father’s/Valentine’s Days, we celebrated birthdays, Christmases and victories – that’s it. It was really strange when I started dating my Irishman and they celebrated every single commercial holiday with extravagant gifts and restaurant lunches.

It is different for me, I didn’t get to have babies like (most of) you. I didn’t choose when I could have them or even if I could have them. All I knew was that I wanted them and I would stop at nothing to have my own kids. I was 37 and 39 when they arrived. Being older and wiser has its perks – one of them that I already have wisdom and everything else I want and need.

Don’t worry about the pressure or the responsibility. Just live in it, have fun, and when everything seems to be going right, just stay humble and remember your family.

Roman Reigns

I’m under no illusion that I will be there to see my grand kids, all that matter now is that my kids know that they are everything to me. I want them to have the best of the world I grew up in and the life their parents built and dreamt of. I want them to always know that I’m there, even if I’m gone one day. I want them to know that I knew them, thought of them, fought for them and loved them. Mother’s Day is not about me, but rather about me starting a tradition to add another charm to their bracelets…

I have written about my kids’ bracelets before. I started the bracelets to celebrate moments we shared, dreams I had for them and just to add something I loved. One of Lexa’s very first charms is a little Christmas cat, because we got Sandton when she was a year old and she loved him from the very first moment. Lily’s bracelet I started off for myself while waiting for her time to come and she has blooming flowers, because she was my wish that had to bloom. They both have a charm representing having a sister and that I added the day I was sure there would be two kids to love.

I don’t need more jewellery, gifts or breakfast in bed – but I do need to make sure that my girls have special pieces that I put together for each of them. I chose Pandora because it is a timeless gift that they can continue building, changing and customising wherever they may end up in the world one day.

There is only one happiness in this life, to love and be loved.

George Sand

Joined by Love, a tribute by Pandora to the bonds we share

Pandora has also launched a unique collection to celebrate the bonds that connect us. This very special collection is called JOINED BY LOVE and it tells the story of Mother’s Day in a versatile, new way. One where motherhood and the idea of being loved and embracing the people you feel connected to, not just through DNA, play a central role.

Their signature design, craftsmanship and attention to detail reworked classical symbols into modern sensibilities. The iconic heart shape melds elegantly with the classic love knot to create a new and infinite link of love with a modern edge. 

We’ve mixed symbols of unending love and linked them to create a new symbol inspired by the fabric of love and family bonds.You can put your own meaning and sentiments into the jewellery or see it as a complete style story.

VP Creative Directors, Francesco Terzo and A. Filippo Ficarelli

The new Knotted Heart Bracelet is crafted from sterling silver links that hold a central knotted heart as a tribute to timeless emotional bonds.  For wear without charms, the heart-embossed toggle slips through the largest link to close. Combining smooth sterling silver looped with lines of glittering pavé-set stones, the Knotted Heart statement ring redefines the ultimate symbol of love – forever modern, forever connected.

#PandoraMothersDay #JoinedByLove

by
Keep Reading
1 Min Read

Wys die wereld jou wense met Pandora

As jy ‘n sentimentele mense soos ek is, dra jy wense op jou mou. Die nuutste Pandora “Wish Collection” is soos om jou wense te sien.

Wat ek van Pandora hou, is dat ek ‘n versameling vir my 2 dogters kan bou sodat hulle eendag wonderlike dinge het wat hul sal herinner hoe lief ek vir hulle is. Ek hoef ook nie ‘n volledige versameling te koop nie, kan meng en pas om elke kind te pas – en koop soos ek ‘n ietsie ekstra het.

Die Pandora Wish Collection

As jy gee, moenie onthou nie. As jy ontvang, moenie vergeet nie.

Stapel hulle opmekaar, meng kleure, dra dit minimalisties of met iets blinks. Druk jouself uit – dit gaan alles oor self-uitdrukking. Sien die hele versameling hier.

by
Keep Reading
2 Mins Read

Wish for more with Pandora

I’m as sentimental as an old lady. Every single piece of jewellery my parents bestowed upon my younger self, I treasure. I have all my silver rings, necklaces and sometimes I still mix them in with my newer pieces.

When you love someone all your saved up wishes start coming out. – Elizabeth Bowen

When I saw Pandora’s latest Wish Collection I immediately opened my treasure box to find my “wish ring” (from the 90’s) and I smiled… wishes do come true.

What I love about Pandora is that I can build a collection for my 2 daughters so that one day they have all these amazing things that will remind them just how much I love them. I don’t have to buy a full collection, I can mix and match to suit each child.

The Pandora Wish Collection

Stack them, mix tones, wear them solo, minimalistic or blinged up – it’s all about self-expression. See the whole collection here.

Pandora Wishes Collection

These and more will be available online and at all Pandora shops this February.

Wish for more…

More Pandora

by
Keep Reading
4 Mins Read

Gift Guide for the Soul Goddess

If you recognise yourself in the following, then this is the gift guide you would want to tag your sister, friend, partner or husband on – because it contains the ultimate gifts for someone like you. This gift guide contains a selection of items that I either have or want… all from local businesses (because that’s how I roll).

You always wear something that has meaning or symbolises something important to you; walking barefoot on the beach wrapped in a sarong with salt in your hair is how you could live your life; you don’t mind being left alone with your own thoughts; watching the stars while sprawled out on a blanket is a favourite pastime.

A fragrance to remind her of Island holidays…

I have fond memories of beautiful Zanzibar and a fragrance that will bring a little of the Spice Island’s Magic is ⭐️⭐️!

I spotted the Boucheron Vanille de Zanzibar on Fragrance Fanatic’s Facebook page and loved the read:

VANILLE DE ZANZIBAR: An oriental vanilla woody, voluptuous and addictive. With the zesty burst of Mandarin, Jasmine Petals shake elegantly and release a sheer and ethereal floral charm. Gentle luminosity with a hint of juicy Pear brings modernity and colour to the top notes. Unsettling and fascinating, the middle notes surrender to the richness of Bourbon Vanilla. The Oriental sensuality of its black pods is combined with the amber and coppery character of Balsam of Peru to enhance its natural power. The creamy floral tones of Heliotrope soften this addictive duo. The generous trail of White Musks passionately envelops this exotic beauty with an irresistible powdery veil. A carnal intensity, tactile and irrepressible, is supported from below by the woods. Smooth Sandalwood and warm Patchouli wrap up the fragrance with charisma.

Eco-friendly Turkish Towel

Turkish towel, sarong… it all looks like what I would have in my closet and pack for beach holidays! This beautiful navy Ballito Turkish towel is from The Cotton Company.

  • 100% cotton
  • Eco-friendly, lightweight and functional
  • Highly absorbent and fast-drying
  • Size: 100cm x 180cm

Kikoi

A kikoi is a traditional rectangle of woven cloth originating from Africa, particularly along the east coast as far south as the Horn of Africa. It is most commonly viewed a type of sarong.

I bought my first Kikoi on Zanzibar and I love wearing it as a scarf, sarong, wrap and even use it as a blanket. To this day I still think that I should’ve bought more!

Mungo has a few lovely Kikois that you might want to check out.

A bit of bling with a cowrie shell

I love cowrie shells because they are so much more than pretty things from the sea. They are good luck charms – and you can never wear enough of them! Soul Design Jewellery has a ring and this necklace with brass finishing.

…and then this one. Sterling Silver ❤️ and it is pushing all the right buttons in my heart. Available from bensonchantal5@gmail.com.

Cover your head!

Now that I have body and jewellery covered it is time to cover the head. I love the sun, but I’m not really willing to become more freckled, so I usually wear big hats to the beach and pool – and even out to the park.

I’ve seen Emthunzini Hats around and what makes them special is that they are UPF50+ and endorsed by CANSA. I love the Capeline in beige (even if it is polyester).

Bamboo Sunglasses

Sunglasses I have a pair a day for 2 weeks but… I would love to add a bamboo pair. This pair from ThisGuy caught my eye… and they promise to plant 10 trees for each pair sold!

Keep on wanderlusting

When you travel you have to have a great shoe! I have a few shoes (and bags) from Tsonga in my collection already, but my feet wants these Venge leather sandals in rose cayak so bad!

 

 

by
Keep Reading
5 Mins Read

Kandidly Kerry in fashion #YouCanBeAnything

Wish you knew of someone that came from nothing to make it in the fashion world? Meet Kerry Sharper from Kandidly Kerry! Kerry is a fashion merchandiser who landed her job without any qualifications or experience, had the passion and some Twitter luck – and this is her story.

“…your circumstances don’t define you” – Kerry Sharper

Asked about her fondest memories from her childhood she remembered all the fun times with her mom – even if it was with a shoestring purse. They managed to make every trip to the shops into a “gigglingly” good time; played ring the doorbell and disappear – and who wouldn’t want to play that with mom; She also had big adventures with her Barbies and dolls.

Kerry Sharper from Kandidly Kerry
Kerry and her mom

However, it wasn’t all giggles and fun play times for Kerry coming from a poor family. Her dad was diagnosed with a brain tumour and her mom suffered with bipolar disorder and she was teased at school about all the things she had no control over.

Kerry admits that it was really hard on her and to this day she is still affected by it, but thanks her lucky stars every single day for the mom who did everything in her power to make sure she was as happy as could be, who made sure she had everything she needed and showered her with love.

And the rest of the interview is in her own words…

Kerry Sharper from Kandidly Kerry is a fashion merchandiser
Kerry at work

How did you end up on your current career path?

I have always loved clothes and fashion and I was very fortunate to get my job without any qualifications or experience. It happened through Twitter – I had followed my boss’ blog for a few years and saw that there was a vacancy and applied. I think that she could see my passion and decided to give me a chance. I have grown so much since then and am still grateful for the way things worked out.

If there is a girl out there who reads this and wants to follow in your footsteps what advice do you have for her?

That your circumstances don’t define you and that you must use those circumstances to better yourself. Let them make you stronger and fight for what you want and never give up hope.

Do you have a mantra or quote that inspires you?

“I am not what has happened to me, I am what I choose to become”. I actually have this tattooed on me because it rings so true for me and is something that I remind myself about often.

What are you passionate about?

I am very passionate about plus size fashion and body positivity. I struggled with my body for years and I have done some extreme things to get my body to a place where I could be happy BUT I never managed to find that place because the kilos would come off but I didn’t get any closer to being completely happy with myself. Last year I realised that life was just too short to spend it poolside while everyone else is in the pool and my life has changed SO much since then.

What is your happily ever after?

It would be to help women realise their worth and start showing themselves the love that they deserve. I have always felt like I was going to do something big with my life and I want it to be this. I want to support and encourage woman.

Kerry Sharper from Kandidly Kerry gets candid about life, her career and body positivity
Kerry Sharper from Kandidly Kerry gets candid about life, her career and body positivity

If you could give a piece (or two) of advice to your younger self, what would it be?

To stop wasting time while waiting to get to the “perfect” weight and to embrace who I am completely.

Where can you find Kerry online?

Were you a Barbie-loving girl who loved to make clothes for her or dress her up and take her on adventures? Tell me why you love your Barbie… and if you can still remember which Barbie you had – that would be great!

Barbies were my life! They were my best friends and went everywhere with me. I spoke to them as if they were my friends, I told them about my dreams and fears. Of course I loved dressing them up and styling or cutting their hair (and then crying). I didn’t have a branded Barbie – I had the cheapies.

 

Barbie® Fashionistas® Doll 85 Happy Hued Doll & Fashions – Curvy
Barbie® Fashionistas® Doll 85 Happy Hued Doll & Fashions – Curvy

I love this lady because she is curvy like me, is wearing stripes which are my all-time favourite print and she is a fashion queen, like me (hopefully one day).

#YouCanBeAnything with Barbie

Barbie inspires little girls to dream big and reach for the stars. She has had a career as chef, astronaut, teacher, pet groomer and model. With Barbie your little girl can be anything.

by
Keep Reading
3 Mins Read

Life is unpredictable, but I’ve squeezed from it what I could already

I don’t think I have a long life ahead of me – and I’m just being realistic about it. The human body can only take that much abuse before it rebels and I know that my efforts to have my own kids and a decade of bilharzia (and the poison to kill it) will one day come back to haunt me.

However, joke is on destiny, because I already live as if every day may be my last day. I have seen the world. I have loved and lost. I have shed tears of sadness and happiness. I have squeezed the last bit of sunshine from every day. I have lived a life that I could never even dream of. I made the impossible, possible and had you.

I can’t leave anything to chance or just hope for the best – it’s not in my nature. From now until your 15th birthday you will have frivolous things that will make you happy for a short time. They will end up forgotten and move to new homes eventually. Your 16th birthday have been taken care of. Like me, you will receive you first pearls on this very important birthday. You probably won’t wear it until you are much older, because it is such an old lady type of jewellery – but I promise you, one day when you are older you will understand and appreciate it.

Before the next big chapter in your life…

On your 18th birthday, whether I’m here or not, you will receive a gift that you can cherish for the rest of your life. I hope to be able to buy each charm and let you assemble your bracelet in any order you see fit. It will give you time to reflect on why I bought each charm and maybe it will inspire you to find the beauty in life – because when I was that age I didn’t see much in the dark.

Letters to my child(ren)

When you turn 21 you don’t need a party…

Instead of having fun for 1 night, rather go somewhere exotic. Follow in my footsteps across continents, borders and islands. Do a tour of Ireland – it will change the way you see everything – it is after all part of your heritage. You should also feel at home in a few other countries – just learn a bit of the languages before you go.

I hope that I get to see you find and build a life that will make you happy – that would be first prize. But if I’m not here anymore, know that you were wanted more than anything in this world and you will never really be alone.

by
Keep Reading
4 Mins Read

When last did you look where your clothes were made?

I like to think that I’m doing my bit to support the local economy. I consciously look at where clothes are made before buying – but then there is the exceptions that I buy because I really like the print… especially for Lexa.

By now you should know that I love Barbie and by extension it means Lexa will never in her life own any other range of dolls that are similar. It will just not happen. She is very fortunate that I am a keen Barbie T-shirt buyer and that she probably has enough for 1.5 weeks without doing laundry.

Not all of them have been bought at retail prices as I am a frequent visitor to Durban’s factory shops… so don’t raise your eyebrows just yet.

You will be surprised to know that the Barbie clothing for your little princess found on the shelves of South African retailers isn’t imported and made in some country in the east – aikona, it is made right on the sunny shores of Durban! Plus if you have time to read about the manufacturing process (below) there are some other interesting facts.

It’s not the same picture for all

There is a lot that goes on behind the scenes once a retailer decides they want a Barbie line on their rails/shelves.

Blue Horizon Licencing, the agent for Mattel in South Africa, looks at what worked at the retailer in the past – colours, themes and styles – and work with the retailer’s trend department to work on a new line that could be brand new or incorporate an updated version of a past line.

…but it’s not all up to Blue Horizon and retailers as they receive a collection of artwork and style guides from the US/UK.

Blue Horizon has an in-house designer called Leanne and she will work on a concept and this gets send to the retailer and if they buy into the concept, the design is finalised.

Then it goes to the manufacturer

Leanne then hands over the artwork to Ayanda at TCI in Durban. The TCI team consisting of Ayanda the designer, Lisa the design manager and Lee who is a merchandiser to design a range incorporating  Leanne’s design.

They take into account the pricing range of the retailer, silhouette and styling and then it gets send off to the retailer and Blue Horizon to do final approvals.

Off to the printers

The approved artwork and cut fabric panels are then send to Ocean Blue, the printers, in Durban. They then print the beautiful Barbie artwork onto the garment panels in a variety of techniques on a huge industrial printer with many functions.

Sewing it together

After printing the panels are sent to TCI to be sewn together by seamstresses. Each garment then gets quality checked before being pressed and tagged with the retailer’s swing tags. Then it is send off to the retailer’s distribution centre.

PS… almost everyone working on the Barbie lines are women!

It’s not over yet!

Blue Horizon still has to create marketing material. They arrange for a photoshoot which includes sourcing models, getting samples of the range from TCI and planning the shoot. They have a stylist, usually Erin Smylie from www.erinsmylie.co.za, on set who ensures the models are on point and ready with hair and outfits all day long.

A talented photographer called Kat Grudko (www.katgrudko.co.za) does the shoot and directs the little models – with Leanne on set to help with funny faces, tickles and jumps to get the girls smiling.

Timeframe

The product can take up to 8 months from initial concept to on the shelves – with multiple lines being developed simultaneously!

And there you have it… the whole product cycle with a Fashionista holding it.

Barbie made in South Africa process

…but this is not all you need to know

Now that we know that the design, print, cut, make and trim are done by South Africans – what about the material?

They do source single knit jersey fabric locally and TCI is now also starting to buy cotton yarn locally – and this is great news for local cotton growers! Unfortunately some specialised fabrics still have to be sourced from international suppliers – like denim and mesh.

So next time you are shopping for Barbie clothing, look at the tags and see that it was made in South Africa!

by
Keep Reading
2 Mins Read

Hello, nice to meet you (Girl Boss Diaries)

It has been more than a year since I left “corporate life”. I won’t lie, it was a big decision to make – I have bills for fertility treatments, bonds, groceries, levies and utilities to pay. Then I realised that staying would mean selling my soul, aging prematurely and just be unhappy every single day.

I jumped. It felt like forever before my feet hit something solid and I didn’t have to dip into my savings anymore. Thank goodness that I am frugal and squirreled away money. Some days I barely touch ground as I’m that busy – and other days I can stop and take a breather. It’s a more balanced life with a whole lot less stress – seriously.

Another advantage is that I choose my work uniform – with no clause in my contract that excludes certain items of clothing… or dyeing my hair pink (I am doing it this year – you just watch). I now wear bootleg jeans with everything from sneakers to beautifully locally handmade shoes mixed in with jewellery that I collected over the years.

Recently I ventured out to a meeting with a potential client and wore this. It’s not always about what you wear – it’s about feeling comfortable and being confident. Clients trust people that they relate to – and they sign projects.

Wearing Tsonga, Miladys and Pick n Pay

Wearing Tsonga, Miladys and Pick n Pay

  • Laptop bag and shoes from Tsonga (made in South Africa)
    I don’t wear heels anymore as I have quite a bad knee injury, but the height on these are just perfect and I don’t have any pain at the end of the day.
  • Bootleg jeans from Miladys
    I never used to shop at Miladys but suddenly they have the most amazing jeans…
  • Black T-shirt from Pick n Pay (made in South Africa)
    I love these “not made in China” T’s that actually fit around my shoulders that has a little extra length to get down to my hips.
by
Keep Reading