"Immerse yourself in a life that moves you, because what you surround yourself with is what becomes your life."
-Aurelia Nxumalo, Lawyer and Influencer
The Wear You movement, by ethnic haircare brand Sta-Sof-Fro, is a meeting of the minds of women from all walks of life, with one thing in common- they are real women living in the real world. The seminar aims to celebrate #versatyle women, while imparting and sharing a wealth of knowledge about various key topics.
It took place in Durban on the 27th of July 2019 and takes place in Johannesburg on 31 August 2019 as a full day seminar consisting of masterclasses by 13 powerhouse women as well as a panel discussion, Q&A and cocktail networking session. I attended the Durban one and the whole day was filled with a wealth of knowledge and inspiration and I thought I'd share some of the lessons I learnt with you.
Lessons in Life, Money and Business
You don't have to be a "POWER BITCH", you can still be kind. Nowadays the empowered "boss' women is seen as being ruthless and savage, doing everything she can to reach the top. Having ambition doesn't have to translate to being mean. You can still show kindness and gentleness on your journey.
You need to know what you don't want even if you don't know what you want. The world is full of distractions and things that take us off the course we're supposed to be on. But we need to know when to say no to these things that aren't right for us and find things worth putting our time and energy into.
Know where you stand - your positioning is a compass that will guide you.
TELL people what you do. We put so much thought into personal branding and yet miss the most important step - we have to actually tell people and make it clear to them what we do and what we want. Don't give them room to guess and come up with their own assumptions.
Read the requirements of the next job you want. It's as easy as looking on jobs sites like indeed.com. Use those requirements as a guideline as to what you need to do to get there.
There was also a lot of practical financial advice I took from the day:
There's NO SHAME in going back home and starting over (Now this hit so close to home for me!)
Make SURE you have an emergency fund - at least 30% of your income and importantly money that is liquid and you can access in 24 hours
Be financially disciplined. If you didn't have support from your spouse/parents do you make enough money to maintain your lifestyle?
Act your wage - whether you earn R5k or R50k if you don't have a good relationship with money you'll always be broke. No matter how much you earn, it comes down to the same principles.
And to end off on a lighter note - "Girl, focus on your money. It won't wake up one morning and decide it doesn't love you."
P.S at the event we also got the cutest 2020 diaries filled with wise quotes and motivation. Here are some of my favourite quotes:
"When we truly step into our power, there is no predicting the heights we can reach."
- Dr. Nandipha Sekeleni
"Don't compare your life to others. There is no comparison between the sun and moon, they shine when it's their time."
- Nelisiwe Masango
"It doesn't matter how good or talented you are, I can promise you this, you will fail more times than you will succeed and you will need to be okay and prepared for that eventuality. Sometimes the failures will be private and other times they won't be. Be prepared."
- Nandi Dlepu
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The difference between success and failure is in taking the initiative. The Girl Boss series aims to highlight the achievements of women just like you and me who are doing amazing things. Hopefully their stories will inspire you as much as they inspire me. This week we chat to Misha Lee, a mega talented photographer and creative entrepreneur.
Cetaphil is well known in the skincare space for affordable
products that hydrate, replenish and protect. They have a few new products on
the market, which I’ll give you a review of after having trialed them for about
a month.
With a tagline like “Born ‘n bread in KZN” you know it’s
going to be good. It’s time for BB Bakeries second annual Some Bunny To Love
food truck to hit the streets of Durban, South Africa.
What is it?
The BB Bakeries food truck will be stationed at different
places in Durban serving delicious food and supporting local artists and
businesses. You can have a quick lunch or dinner at the truck and, on specific
days, enjoy the live entertainment too.
Why?
BB Bakeries is all about supporting what’s local and loved
in KZN. Combining BB Bakeries unsliced white bread with traditional Durban
curries, you get to have an authentic Natal experience.
BB Bakeries is local to KZN and prioritise the use of
quality ingredients and manufacturing. They are a true homegrown brand – and as
such give back to the local community.
Food menu
This year they’ve definitely upped their game with the menu.
The Some Bunny To Love food truck menu:
- BB Bunny Chow Classics: A KZN favourite served with the best-loved local loaf and a side of Cheesy Bread Sticks. With the option of three popular curries, Chicken, Mutton or Bean
- BB Squares ‘Rising Stars’: A curry filled deep fried BB square delight With the option of a chicken, mutton or bean filling
- BB Squares Encore: A dessert filled deep fried BB square treat served with whipped cream and butterscotch sauce With the option of a raisin and cinnamon or baked apple and cinnamon filling.
The experience
My #SomeBunnyToLove experience was close to my heart – you don’t
get anymore Durban than this. I went to the BB Bakeries Bunny Chow Love food
truck on Friday, 3 July on Florida exchange (Behind Starbucks). The vibe was eccentric
with Darren Mule of East Coast radio providing entertainment and good vibes.
Soon after, Easy Freak, treated the audience to a performance and the night was
filled with laughter, beautiful music and the smell of authentic Durban
curries.
Don’t take my word for it – see for yourself! Here is the
schedule for the duration that the BB Bakeries food truck is in town:
Florida Road: 2nd –14th July (Closed on Mondays)
Live performances
3rd July: -Jonty Hartwig (5pm-6pm) -Easy Freak (7pm -8pm)
5th July: Robin 3rd Floor (6pm –7pm)
12th July: Holly Rey (6pm –7pm)
Chatsworth Centre: 16th – 27th July (Closed on Mondays)
Live Performances and Talent Competition
20th July: - Celestial
Mic (12pm –1pm) -Talent Competition (1pm-3pm) people can come and perform for
spot prizes (JBL Wireless headphones, speakers and BB Food Vouchers) - Deshan
Styler(3pm-4pm)
Suncoast: 28th July Sunday Beats
Looking for accommodation in Johannesburg? The Capital
Melrose is part of The Capital Hotels and Apartments group and is located next
to the Melrose Arch precinct in Johannesburg. The hotel only recently opened on
1 May 2019.
I stayed in the 1 bedroom apartment at the Capital Melrose
recently and here’s everything you need to know about the hotel.
On a cold 10 degree Monday night I went to Lanser's on Main for dinner. Greeted by Lanser himself and served by him and his friendly staff, my night just got better and better.
LOCATION
Lanser's on Main is located in Bryanston in the Sandton region in Johannesburg. It's just off the main road. The restaurant is in an easy to find complex and has secure parking outside.
AMBIANCE
The ambiance is old school French and Italian. The decor is warm and inviting and has lots of cute elements like the empty frames on the walls. The music is calm and just softly in the background allowing you to engage in conversation. While it makes the perfect date night restaurant, unlike many others it's warm and inviting making you feel right at home.
FOOD
A unique element to Lanser's on Main is that their menu isn't "set in stone". They often have specials and options that aren't on the menu. Their menu is also very diverse with lots of different options for any craving.
Starter: Clam Chowder
This is an option that wasn't on the menu and was part of the night's specials. Clam chowder is a chowder soup containing clams and broth, and a few other vegetables. It was also my first time having clam chowder. The soup was filled with such rich tastes and flavors and the clams were delicious. However, I didn't particularly enjoy the diced potato (and there was a lot of it). Would I have it again? Yes, I would just ask them to hold back on the potato.
Main: Pork Belly
Again, I was being adventurous and having something I wouldn't usually. I don't eat pork often at all but Lanser himself recommended it so I have it a try. It consisted of a crisp pork belly, roasted potatoes, vegetables and a pineapple honey glazed sauce. Personally I don't think I'm much of a pork person (The texture is a bit weird for me) BUT however it is something I'd like to have once in a while and especially in the style it was served at Lanser's on Main. The honey glazed sauce blew me away, it added so much flavor to the meal.
Main: Steak
My partner had steak, medium to rare, and enjoyed it thoroughly. Again, the flavors were rich and complemented the steak perfectly. It was also a large portion that included veggies and french fries.
Dessert: Lemon Meringue
I ordered the lemon meringue for dessert (My usual is either cheesecake and lemon meringue). The portion size was huge - so much so we had to share it and still didn't finish it! It tasted fresh and delicious. It was however a bit sweeter than I would have wanted it to be.
OVERALL
Overall, Lanser's on Main is perfect for a date night. The ambiance puts you at ease and the attention to detail is memorable. The food was lovely and they have so many different options to suit any preference.
RATING
These are my personal ratings based on the above experience. It is of course subjective.
LOCATION: 8
AMBIANCE: 10
FOOD: 8
I started the South Africa Small Towns Holiday Guide Series as a way to show off the best small town getaways in SA. Too often people focus on the big cities for holidays and don't take advantage of the amazing small towns.
I've discovered some hidden gems all around the country, all near major cities, which make them perfect for day trips or long weekend getaways.
To start off the series I have a Midlands Meander Travel Guide, Hartebeespoort Travel Guide and KZN South Coast Travel Guide. Next on the agenda is possibly a Stellenbosch Travel Guide and Clarens Travel Guide so let me know if you enjoy this series!
I've discovered some hidden gems all around the country, all near major cities, which make them perfect for day trips or long weekend getaways.
To start off the series I have a Midlands Meander Travel Guide, Hartebeespoort Travel Guide and KZN South Coast Travel Guide. Next on the agenda is possibly a Stellenbosch Travel Guide and Clarens Travel Guide so let me know if you enjoy this series!
I started the South Africa Small Towns Holiday Guide Series as a way to show off the best small town getaways in SA. Too often people focus on the big cities for holidays and don't take advantage of the amazing small towns.
I've discovered some hidden gems all around the country, all near major cities, which make them perfect for day trips or long weekend getaways.
To start off the series I have a Midlands Meander Travel Guide, Hartebeespoort Travel Guide and KZN South Coast Travel Guide. Next on the agenda is a Stellenbosch Travel Guide and Clarens Travel Guide so let me know if you enjoy this series!
I've discovered some hidden gems all around the country, all near major cities, which make them perfect for day trips or long weekend getaways.
To start off the series I have a Midlands Meander Travel Guide, Hartebeespoort Travel Guide and KZN South Coast Travel Guide. Next on the agenda is a Stellenbosch Travel Guide and Clarens Travel Guide so let me know if you enjoy this series!
Now let's not get ahead of ourselves, my "everyday makeup look" is no makeup. I don't wear makeup everyday especially not to work or when I'm just going to be home. But some days if I'm going shopping or feel like looking pretty or being creative I'll do my makeup. These are some of the products I'll use as well as some suggestions.
Since 2016 I've had almost every hair color under the sun - black (natural), brown, blonde, ginger, red and even purple. I've been fully embracing the different hair dying trends of our time (Platinum blonde, I've got my eyes on you). I won't even deny that this has led to my hair getting very damaged. Luckily for me, my hair is very thick and hasn't thinned due to it but it's definitely gotten more dry and doesn't look as healthy as before.
If you follow me on Instagram (@lifebyashasingh - do the things!) you'll probably already know what I wore on my UAE trip. With Dubai being such a popular holiday destination, I know this is something most people aren't really sure about. So I'll break it down for you and show you what I wore.
Every girl deserves to treat
herself every now and then and what better way then some gorgeous jewellery.
I'm not one for a whole cupboard of jewelley and I definitely prefer to have
one or 2 amazing pieces that I can mix and match and play around with.
Of course, Local is Lekker and I'm
all about supporting local South African brands, but I know it's not always
easy to find local businesses especially online - sometimes I'm tempted to just
buy something off Wish (Which isn't ideal - I'd prefer a local small business
getting my support). So just in time for mothers Day, here are some local small
businesses you can buy a gift from (Or just treat yourself girl!).
High-end Jewellery
These aren't even just for more
of a splurge - every girl deserves some high-end quality pieces. Especially now
that I'm growing up, I find that I'd rather spend a bit more money and get
something timeless that I can wear often and feel proud of.
Legacy Collection by Charmaine Taylor
I was introduced to Charmaine
Taylor's Legacy Collection last month (with their collaboration with Pongrácz)
and the story behind it absolutely captivated me, especially with it being
Freedom Day on the 27th of April - each Legacy Collection piece is named in
honour of South Africa’s struggle to democracy.
Also, you can make your purchase knowing that 10% of profits are donated
to sustainable employment projects in South Africa. My favorite is the Africa
Rising pendant - it has the outline of Africa with a unique, raw piece of fence
running through the Africa shape.
In recognition for statement pieces, Pongrácz has
collaborated with Charmaine Taylor. Her jewellery pieces are designed to be
worn with intent, to raise awareness of the environment and human rights and
have been celebrated for their striking designs. Best known for her jewellery
formed from the repurposed historical prison fence from Robben Island, this
latest collection custom-made for Pongrácz tells the story of being bold,
fearless and individual. Each set of earrings is hand weaved and no two will be
exactly alike, making them truly individual.
Mid-range Jewellery
Because we're not balling just yet.
Della Online
Designed locally is Della
Jewellery. Brainchild of by Pippa de Charmoy, classic lines, quality
semi-precious stones and fine craftsmanship ensure that all Della creations are
distinctive and utterly unique.
Della makes the perfect mid-range
gift that won't break the bank but is still amazing quality. The packaging is
beautiful and makes it feel like you're getting something totally exclusive. It
comes in an elegant black box packaging in a little bag with the Della logo. I
still kept the packaging because I love it as much as the actual jewellery! The
earring collection is the most extensive with unique, colorful pieces that have
stunning precious stones. You can purchase pieces on the Della website.
Affordable Jewellery
There's no kinda broke like college student broke. But we still deserve nice things. Here's a option for when you gotta make the most of those randelas.
My Image Exclusive
South African farm girl at heart,
Annamie created My Image Exclusive at just 15 years old! She has beautiful
handmade pieces at prices that don't break the bank and yet still feel so one
of a kind and precious. Annamie goes all out with the beautiful presentation
and there's just something about that personal touch that makes it feel even
more special! You can purchase her pieces online on the My Image Exclusivewebsite.
You gotta admit, when it comes to local TV and movies we aren't exactly spoilt for choice. You get the classics like 7de Laan and Carte Blanche but apart from that? Recently there have been some gems that were produced in the motherland and that actually give Hollywood a run for their money. While the South African film industry seems to still be finding its feet, I have high hopes for the content that will be produced locally in the next few years.
I'll include selections from DSTV, Netflix, Showmax, BoxOffice and even the cinema to give you some options for your next binge watch session.
Accomodation in Istanbul, Turkey
Where to stay in Istanbul?
Choosing where to stay was possibly the most time consuming decision I had to make when planning the trip. I took about 2 hours to plan the itinerary and yet I spent weeks deciding where to stay! There are lots of options for accommodation and many are similar however choosing an area to stay in can be difficult.
So basically it comes down to 2 options Sultanahmet (the old city) and Beyoglu (modern Istanbul). Eminönü and Fatih fall under the old city while Beyoglu consists of Taksim, Sisli, Besiktas etc. The two areas are actually neighboring, divided only by the Golden Horn body of water and Galata bridge.
Known as the city where east meets west, the only city in the world in two continents - Europe and Asia - is none other than incredible Istanbul. Awe-inspiring architecture, rich history and immersive culture, Istanbul is a true gem and a must see city.
Sunsets over the Bhosphurus with the stunning silhouette of grand mosques - that's the image in my head when I think of the city.
Sunsets over the Bhosphurus with the stunning silhouette of grand mosques - that's the image in my head when I think of the city.
When asked what to do for my 21st birthday, I didn't even have to give it a second thought - Turkey had been on my bucket list for the past 2 years. So after a very last minute thought, my mom and I booked our flights and were off to Turkey! In the next few posts I'll tell you a bit more about my adventures and what I got up to in Istanbul and Cappadocia.
Here are some travel tips and advice for planning your trip to Istanbul!
Here are some travel tips and advice for planning your trip to Istanbul!
Unicorns, Rapunzel and a magical land of fairy chimneys and hot air balloons filling the sky at sunrise - what do they all have in common? They're all fairytales - or so you think!
Cappadocia (meaning: "the land of beautiful horses") is very much a REAL PLACE in Central Turkey that has the most otherworldly feel.
Cappadocia (meaning: "the land of beautiful horses") is very much a REAL PLACE in Central Turkey that has the most otherworldly feel.
I think we all wish we could go back and teach our younger self some life lessons - why were we so young and naive?! At 21, I know I still have a lot to learn (Young, dumb and broke anyone?) but I'm more knowledgeable in hindsight. Now I'm by no means grown up, I still struggle at adulting everyday but being a teenager could sometimes feel even more difficult than adulting.
One year that definitely stood out for me was 2010, my first year of high school and the year I turned 13. Being 13 was undoubtedly my most difficult year growing up. Teenage hormones are so real. If I could go back to that awkward, confusing time, this is what I would tell my 13 year old self.
A LETTER TO MY 13 YEAR OLD SELF
Dear Asha,
Well you've made it to high school, I know how disappointed you are that it's nothing like it looked in Hannah Montana or High School Musical. Unfortunately in these 5 years, Zac Efron isn't going to fall in love with you (And neither is Justin Bieber so PLEASE get rid of that bieberasha@yahoo.com email address because it will come back to haunt you every time you try to log onto Facebook).
On that note, you my dear self, have no idea what being in love really is. And let me just give you a hint, it's not like what you've seen in those Disney movies you (secretly) still love. All the guys you date this year, and pretty much all throughout high school, are not worth the time or the tears.
I know you're looking at the mirror wondering why you can't be a bit thinner, have acne-free skin or flowy straight hair. I know you're trying everything to fix those "problems" you have when you really should be loving your slightly chubby, imperfect skin, curly haired self. What makes those girls in school seem so pretty is that they have the level of confidence you should have.
That time your Arts and Culture teacher in primary school called you "Painfully shy" you keep etched in your brain. You wish you didn't struggle so much with social interactions, and you wish that for once someone wouldn't use the words "shy" or "quiet" or "introvert" to describe you. It doesn't make sense to you how some people can so easily make friends while you sit alone at lunch break and have to try so hard to have a decent social interaction.
Don't worry about that girl that called you a b*tch or those "looks" those girls gave you. Don't overthink those guys you wasted precious time with actually imagining a future with (Eww). Don't worry about those times you got bad marks, mom and dad were definitely not disappointed in you. Don't worry about that little world that you're living in because I promise you it will get better.
Soon when you tell people you were so shy and quiet they'll be like "Dude, why you lying?". Trust me, you're actually gonna be the social one in your friend groups (And on that note your friends will be #squadgoals). You'll meet people you actually have things in common with, people who will inspire you, and not just classmates you're friends with out of convenience. One day you'll get over those insecurities about your body and learn to embrace yourself love handles and all (except the bad skin, because your makeup is always on point, girl).
Soon you're going to get a newly found confidence, the kind of confidence that comes from deep within. You're going to find out how strong and independent you are, and that's what so many people will know you for.
Baby girl, there's gonna be downs for sure, but you're gonna learn so much from those moments. You're gonna go on adventures and have the most mind blowing experiences. You're gonna meet people that expand your horizons and help you grow more than you ever thought you could. You will end up meeting some decent guys eventually (Actually scratch that, most guys will still suck). You're gonna finish the schooling chapter of your life on a high note and end up studying something you love (eventually, but that's a whole other story!).
You're going to laugh without fear of the future, and have hope and excitement gleaming in your eyes.
Asha, it does get better!
Sincerely,
Asha
(The 21 year old me)
The difference between success and failure is in taking the initiative. The Girl Boss series aims to highlight the achievements of women just like you and me who are doing amazing things. Hopefully their stories will inspire you as much as they inspire me. This week we chat to Rukaya Mansoor, founder of Woman of the World (WoW), a female empowerment initiative, and a qualified chemist at Esse Skincare.
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