Top South African Lifestyle Blog
This weeks Fashion Friday look of the week is Emily Blunt and Ewan McGreggor, at the premiere of Salmon Fishing In The Yemen. I love Emily’s black and white, 60’s inspired swing dress, the pattern and style are particularly flattering for her and her hair looks amazing! Ewan looks über handsome, I love his structured black jacket, contrasted well by the very trendy checked grey trousers he is wearing – I think he looks rather gorgeous!
Image: FabHunter
I am always keen on a good love story and love nothing better than spending Friday Night “In”, with my hubby, a good movie and yummy food and wine. Recently we have been revisiting a few epic favourite movies, they conjure up such brilliant memories, so I thought I would share my top four romantic movies with you. Most of these I have seen at least half a dozen times, if not more!
I may be showing my age here but this 1984 American musical-drama film directed by Herbert Ross, is one of my all time favourite love stories and movies! It is the story of Ren McCormack, played by Kevin Bacon (who I adore), an upbeat Chicago-teen who moves to a small back-water town. Much to his horror the local minister (John Lithgow), has banned dancing and rock music in the town. Ren just happens to meet and fall in love with the minister’s daughter Ariel, played by Lori Singer, which as you can well imagine complicates matters. The story tells the tale of Ren’s fight to restore music and dancing in the town and ends with them celebrating on Prom night and “cutting FOOTLOOSE!”
I absolutely love Kevin Costner and Whitney Houston and this 1992 American romantic thriller ticks all the boxes for me. Plus it has great musical talent, supplied by the legendary Whitney Houston, who plays Rachel Marron, an Oscar-nominated music superstar who is being stalked and sent death threats. Enter Frank Farmer, played by Kevin Costner, who is a former Secret Service Special Agent, hired to protect her. So there is something for everyone, great music, trilling adventure and endearing romance what more could you ask for – oh and this is one of the first movies my hubby and I saw when I knew, for sure, that this was going to be the man I was going to marry…aaahhh!!!
I know that this 1994 British film is probably more comedy than romance, but sometimes comedy and romance go hand in hand! Once again it stars one of my favourite actors Hugh Grant, who plays Charles, a debonair but rather amusing Englishman, who falls in love with Carrie an attractive American (who they actually nickname “the American” in the movie), played by Andie MacDowell. They constantly run into each other at Weddings, one of which is Carrie’s and then a Funeral. At the Funeral they recite a poem by W.H.Auden, “Stop The Clocks”, which always makes me cry! ” Stop all the clocks, cut off the telephone, Prevent the dog from barking with a juicy bone, Silence the pianos and with muffled drum Bring out the coffin, let the mourners come….” So along their romantic journey, there is laughing and crying but most of all LOVE!
What is not to love, Julie Roberts is gorgeous and such a great actress and as I mentioned Hugh Grant is one of my favourites! Hugh plays the part of William “Will” Thacker, who owns an independent bookshop in Notting Hill, that specialises in travel writing. Anna Scott, Hollywood star actress, played by Julie Roberts, happens upon the bookshop and so the tale of romance unfolds. Her fame hampers their relationship but in the end “the guy gets the girl” – Yay! I must not forget to mention the famous quote from the movie: “I’m Just a Girl, Standing in front of a Boy, Asking Him to love Her.” – a real ahhh moment!
I hope you enjoy reading this as much as I did writing it, as I said all these movies are such an integral part of many happy memories! There are quite a few more to mention but we will save those for another time. For those “young ones” out there, who were born post 80’s, you have to watch Footloose! I know they have done a remake but I think I will give it a miss, I don’t want to taint the awesome memories I have!
What are your favourite epic movies? I would love to hear from you!
Image Source: Pinterest Movies Board
Today on Real Women Real Life, we get to look inside the life of Sarah Graham. Sarah is the foodie behind the blog afoodieliveshere and author of Bitten.
As of October last year Johannesburg is now our home. Having moved from Cape Town (Sarah used to live in the same area that I do), I approached the move with the usual disdain (for anywhere other than the mother city), that one would expect from Capetonians 😉 I have however been pleasantly surprised.
My goal in life is to raise content and considerate children, in a happy home with my amazing husband, to continue cooking with abandon for as long as I love it.
I am motivated and inspired by my family, friends and my love of food.
Indian-style Coconut Fish Curry Recipe from “afoodieliveshere”
I am not afraid of a challenge or hard work! I also like to think of myself as considerate and objective. On the flip side I can be impatient and feel that sometimes I am not spontaneous enough.
My biggest fear is rushing through life, getting to the other end and not having savoured all the special moments along the way.
(Besides for being a mom, writing a blog and publishing a cook book!)
I am one of the founders and now marketing director for an award-winning responsible tourism company, www.africanimpact.com.
I love to socialize and cook. I spend my free time going to the movies, reading, doing Pilates and I love spending time in the bush.
One of my best SA food websites for everything from recipes, to shopping and restaurant reviews is Eat In, who recently featured my book and my very precious 6 Minute Chocolate Cake Recipe.
Having a baby and so far being a reasonable Mum 🙂 Writing and publishing my cook book, entitled Bitten, which is currently available for purchase, in stores in South Africa and online.
Without a doubt – having a baby and being a parent has been my biggest challenge, it teaches you amazing selflessness, commitment, hard work and an overwhelming sense of unconditional love.
Also in this interview series Real Women Real Life, meet Chicara from Lipgloss Kisses
Image Source: Sarah Graham, afoodieliveshere & Food 24
Please subscribe to Super Mom’s News to stay in the loop and receive all the current news from my blog – just enter your email below! Thank you from Super Mom Blog!
My Community Feature this week is somewhat different as it is more of a cyber-community feature. Both my husband and I are rather passionate about education, both in our immediate family enviroment and in the greater community around us. We are always on the lookout for new and innovative ideas and concepts, like the one that I am about to introduce to you.
The website is called Mammabella, which is a fun website developed out of the need to create both an interest and appreciation of the Afrikaans language. Afrikaans is spoken natively in South Africa and it is the third most spoken mother tongue in the country. Most English-speaking schools, in South Africa, require Afrikaans to be studied as a second language, which can be difficult for parents who do not speak the language themselves and are not able to assist their children. Mammabella could be instrumental in encouraging learners from a young age to enjoy learning this language.
Kirsten Rossiter, is the creator of Mammabella, she is a home-schooling mom of 3, a musician, songwriter and graphic designer. “Mammabella is a true extension of who I am and what I do – I love music, language, art and teaching.”
Mammabella started off as a challenge…to encourage my children, to want to learn Afrikaans. I began by making up funny, catchy songs in the car, in the kitchen, in the bedroom…anywhere…to try and teach them a basic Afrikaans vocabulary, made up of day-to-day things. I have been very impressed and surprised by the impact these songs have had on my children, they have grown in confidence in their Afrikaans vocabulary and actually started showing an interest in learning the language. After this personal success I decided to make my music available to other families too. I hope that Mammabella helps spark an interest in other children and encourages them to learn Afrikaans and enjoy it!
The name Mammabella is one that is very close to my heart. Princess, a special Malawian friend to my daughter, Bella, used to call me Mammabella, in other words Bella’s mother. I was never Kirsten to her, only Mammabella…and I fell in love both with her and the cute little name she gave me. Shortly after she moved back to Malawi, my ideas for this site began to form, and there seemed no better name than Mammabella as a way of remembering little Princess.
The website offers fun, sing-along songs, catchy tunes and entertaining pictures that will take your children on an Afrikaans musical adventure and while at the same time giving them a foundation in basic Afrikaans vocabulary. A selection of modules are available on the website, along with registration details and costs. Mammabella is currently offering a free introductory module, so pop over to their website and start your Afrikaans Musical Adventure!
Each song that you purchase forms part of a module that includes the following:
To find out more about this fun and inspiring website click on over to Mammabella or email them on [email protected]. You can also follow them on Twitter.
Images: Mammabella
<