Mel's Must Have #5 Art by Bron Stofberg

I am no art fundi but when I first saw Bron's work, I could feel a connection.  I felt like I was looking into my creative me - seeing colour, shapes, movement, depth. I could just stare at her art and get lost in it.  Bron Stofberg is a South African artist based in Durban and some of her clients have included Madonna (yes Madonna - that's not a mistype).  I will be interviewing her later this week but for now I just want to show you her remarkable talent!

These are just a small portion of her pieces but these are some of my favourites:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Aren't those colours wonderful? Dreamy, twirly, stripey, merging magnificence (very artistic comments I know but who cares?)  Apparently she has some secret technique and recipe that allows the colours to flow and bend, speckle and merge.  

Bron Stofberg is by no means unknown - she has been featured in a number of top magazines like:  Garden and Home, Top Billing, Essentials and has even appeared on Top Billing, a local South African show.  

For those of you that are ready to leap online to find more of her wonderful work, her website offers the most remarkable array of work and even prints to order.  

Her latest medium has been buttons and are on sale for Christmas - but clearly she needs to hear from us, that this should definitely be a medium she should keep working with - love love love! 

She has a great Facebook Page with more of her work.  This lady continues to amaze me with the diversity of her art.  And each one of her pieces of art just seem to speak to me, definitely a type of art therapy.  

 

 

If I could summarise her art in three words:

colour

creativity 

soul 

By the way I was not asked to do this and I get no compensation for writing this article - just some of those beautiful things that I love.

Mel's Must Have #4 Yuppiechef

If you haven't heard of Yuppiechef, the you have missed out on the most beautiful kitchenware which you can buy online.  I love their online store and if I could, I would redo my entire kitchen with all their amazing kitchenware.  And if you are lucky enough to buy some of their products and you live in South Africa, well then that delivery is free!

What especially makes this a great online store is that it's owned by local South Africans. They only find the best products.  Products that make you want to spend more time in the kitchen - whether its to grind some coffee beans or make some toast - everything is fashion, colour and designer perfect.

Here are just some of the things I would definitely want in my kitchen!  Kitchen art deluxe.

Morphy Richards Accents Colour Boutique Metallic Pyramid Kettle, 1.5 litres

Morphy Richards Accents Colour Boutique Metallic 4-Slice Toaster

KitchenAid Artisan Espresso Machine

 

 KitchenAid Artisan Burr Coffee Bean Grinder

KitchenAid Artisan Food Processor

KitchenAid Waffle Maker

Bialetti Glamour Dama Moka Pot, 3 Cup

Red, red and more red - I love these!  You get to choose whatever colour you want! And red is what I want.  My kitchen is very white with blacks and greys and I have added reds, oranges and pink.  I know, I know - a little unusual but I simply must have bright colours in my life! 

Just so you get an idea of what I am aiming for, here you go!

Please Note:  I have not been asked to write about Yuppiechef. They don't know me, they don't know my children - they don't even know my name.- I get nothing from doing this - these are some of those things that I would simply love to own.

Mel's Must Have #3: Birth Photography

Now before you jump to any conclusions, no I am not expecting baby no 5! Though the last time I said something like that I discovered I was pregnant a week later!  But this time I am sure!   About 3 weeks ago I met a really inspiring individual.  Her name is Marysol and she is has the privilege of being a birth photographer. - Now when I heard her say this, I had this glazed look on my face as I briefly remembered the delivery room - and I was like - oooooohhhh so you take photos of the baby being born.  (and in my mind I was thinking, no way would I want someone taking photos of the nether regions while giving birth).

But this is not what this lady does.  She does something so special and so precious - she captures those first moments.  

 

Wives don't want their husbands taking photos, they want their support - emotions run high during this time.  Marysol is very discreet and captures moments that are often missed.  The first time you see your precious bundle - the look on dad's face - memory moments.  

So if you are having a baby, or know of someone having a baby - forward this on to them. Marysol only books 2 families a month because she is on call before and after the due date. That means when you go into labour at 3am in the morning, she gets a call as well as the gynaecologist!  

And if like me, having babies is a thing of the past - consider making use of her services for family photos, weddings or birthdays.  If you visit her website you will see the excellent quality of her work. 

Please Note:  I was not asked to write this review and I get nothing for writing it - this is just another one of those things that I love, and would like to share with you.

Top 10 Things I can't live without in my homeschooling day

There are a few things that I need to make homeschooling work.  Things that optimize homeschooling (sounds educational doesn't it?).  Optimize.  Good word. But I need certain things to be in place for learning to take place in our house. Some of these things I need daily and others weekly.  I can live without some of them (maybe not coffee) but they definitely make life easier.

1.  Internet/ Computer
We do lots of activities online including: Reading Eggs, Chess, Mandarin, and all sorts of research.We watch the series Drive thru History on TBN, and Chinese Television online. 

2.  Library cards - I could say the library but even the library is inaccessible without these.  Believe me I  know - after heading to the library, spending 2 hours choosing books, DVDs and music and heading to the counter with almost 50 items only to discover you have left your library cards at home, Library cards are like gold!

3.  Art supplies - we do this almost every day - and art supplies can include cereal boxes, toilet rolls, coloured rice, scraps of material, magazines - anything with which we can create - and then sometimes we buy supplies too.  In fact the most important items on this list would be glue and scissors. 

4.  At least one read aloud- we love reading and living books are an inspiration.  The day seems incredibly empty when we don't have at least one read aloud.

5.  Stationary - lots of pencils, erasers, crayons, click pencils for extra neat work

6.  Coffee - an endless supply.  Whether roasted, instant or frothed - local, Jamaican or Brazilian - any flavour, any time.

7.  Snacks - homeschooling would be incomplete without it, never mind concentration levels

8.  Television - yep, not for telly sake but for our Maths Programs, Educational DVDs and Screen time on a Friday (for children AND parents)

9.  Open windows- smells and bells, we have a lot of those.  Winter, summer, rain or shine - fresh air is a necessity especially with my boys who like to leave little fragrances around the room

10.  Activities or Sports - we have very active children - Nippers Lifesaving, J-boarding, skateboarding, ramping, tennis, trampoline, bike riding, surfing, running, hiking.  School is by far a lot more manageable when there are activities that get their bodies moving and their hearts racing.

11.  Coffee - I know I already said that but by the time I got to number 11 from number 6, I realised I needed another cup of coffee already and so thought it only a true reflection of the real life drama of a coffee addict. (or to be politically correct caffeine challenged)

12.  A plan - not necessarily on paper but definitely in my head.  I spend at least 15 to 20 minutes every morning planning the days activities, or the focus of the day.  Thinking about what was left incomplete the day before, what topics I would like to cover today and also any specific interests the children have shown that are worth further investigation or study.

13.  Bible and Prayer - I am lost without it.  I come undone without it.  I need my own time in the morning -not with the children but just the Lord and I.  They also do their own individual study time every morning and then we do a family devotion.

14.  Sleep - oh yeah baby, this is my number one priority for all of us.  This is a must.  None of us function on a little sleep and I get cranky when I have been up too late.  This will often set the platform for the day.  If we get to bed too late, then we start late and we spend the rest of the day catching up.

15.  The Principal - you bet we have one and a good looking one at that!  In fact this principle likes a cuddle and a kiss between lessons.  (OK maybe a little bit too much info for sensitive readers - that's marriage!)  Fortunately my husband works from home, so we have a 24/7 husband and principal in the house.  Discipline issues are sent through to him.  It takes the pressure off me and it also ensures my peace of mind and heart are in the right place for the rest of the day.  Discipline issues can often be draining, taking all the joy out of the day.  This is a strategy that I have found works for me, but I know that there are many of you that don't have that privilege and so you will have your own way of working through this!

So there's my list. Yes I know there are more than 10 things, but I couldn't resist adding a few more.  I'm talkative in that way and you always get more than you bargained for with me.

Now it's your turn.  What's on your list?  What are your absolute must haves in your homeschool?  Leave a comment!

And finally: One more day

Yes only one before the Tin Town giveaway winner is announced.  Go on, why not enter?   Even if you don't have little one's. they would make great gifts for friends or family.

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Mel's Must Have #2 Tin Town and a super duper giveaway

Now I know in my previous Mel's Must Have post on Le Creuset,  I was all about cooking and the kitchen, but today its all about pretty things, decor things, hand crafted things.  In fact when I went onto Tin Town's online store - it took a while for me to extract myself from the products page.  I think I sighed audibly a few times on every page.  A sigh of longing, of wishful thinking - you know the kind!  And so to give you a glimpse of what I found.  Let me show you some of the beautiful beautiful beautiful (was that enough times to get my point across?) decor art, art decor? (not sure which is more politically correct or is that decoratively correct?) - never mind! Confusing myself - and that could be dangerous.

So  let me just breath and sigh and long with you, as you have a look at some of these photographs.  Look at this bed, doesn't it just make you feel like you are living in a fairy land fantasy?  I love headboards, but this one has the makings of greatness.  I might wake up and feel like a fairy princess, though I may need to lose some pounds to not look like an overstuffed tutu.  Wonder if the headboard has magical powers too? 

 

These bookends are delightful don't you think?

  

OK so I couldn't resist putting a pink frame around this one but this is for all of us who are dying to host high tea, a whimsical tea party or just any tea party would have me bringing this little number out.  In fact forget the tea, just bring out the cake.  I can definitely see my fairy status being reduced to ground control with all the cake decor circulating on this blog.

 I love the vase on the wall, with this kind of backdrop.  I think any flower would look like a piece of art.

 

Some more cake, on a stand that just begs to be noticed.  These neutral tones would complement any baked delight - yes it would probably even work for one of those 5 minute whicky wacky cakes.  You would have your guests thinking you had worked on a cake for hours with a cake stand like this.

Now why didn't I know about this store over Christmas time?  Christmas tree decorations are always a big deal in our house and we are always on the lookout for some new ideas.  What I love about these is that they are glitzy and strong - a serious added benefit with a house full of children.  This is just the bling I need  and I won't need to replace them every year.

 Wall art - true inspiration.  Little birds on these letters just look so sweet and homey- a real sense of serenity.

 I could have a room full of these.  Trees on every wall, and the detail with the little butterflies makes it a perfect inspiration for a little girl's room. 

 And for those of you that are only interested in decorating your gardens, there are these little creatures just waiting to fill your garden with life.

Isn't this a magnificent piece of art.  What creativity and what a beautiful room divider!  This really is one of my favourites.

I love their simplicity, their whimsical designs and I could find a place for everyone of these items in my house.  Please Note:  I have not been asked to write about this product. I get nothing from doing this - these are some of those things that I would simply love to own.

However

Because I love ya- yeah I do. I love all of you,  because you are what motivates me to spend far too many hours on my computer to bring you post after post.  Encourage you, make you laugh or even just to roll your eyes and say to yourself "you see - I am not so bad, look what she's like".
So back to that loving feeling - I phoned up Tin Town and told them how great you all were and how much you would all love an opportunity to win one of their amazing products.  And they came back with a resounding yes!  And this is what is up for grabs in this giveaway.

Tin Town are giving away six gorgeous animal hooks worth R450  to one lucky reader.  And here they are: 

How to enter:  

Like their facebook page and come back here and leave a comment to say you have.

 

 For additional entries:

* Visit their site, and leave a comment here telling me what your favourite item is, in their online store.  

* Share this giveaway on Facebook AND/OR Twitter and leave a comment separately for each one to let me know you have.

(Remember that if you don't have a blog, leave your email address when you comment, so that I can contact you, otherwise you might not get your prize and you don't want to lose out on this one!)

Anyone can enter our Giveaway AND you can enter even if you have won one of the Giveaways before.  Because of shipping fees, this competition is only open to South African readers.

The Winner will be announced on Wednesday 30 May 2012.  

Mel's Must Have #1 Le Creuset

We all have a wish list.  If it's not Amazon, then it's virtual shopping on Pinterest - you pin it so you feel like you own it.  We all have stuff that we would love to have, especially in those hypothetical situations where we win a million.  Oooh gadgets, clothes - lots of things!  I discover new a new "must have" every time I open a magazine or watch a lifestyle show. And so because I can, and because this is my blog, and because I keep a record of my life and family with this blog and ...... well, just because - I thought I would show you my latest and greatest "Must Have"

Le Creuset

Ooooh even the name sounds luxurious doesn't it?  Kind of rolls off your tongue - mmh. Well this one is all about taste!

These French (had to be with a name like that) cast iron pots are just a delight to the eyes.  Friends say they love them, I drool every time I visit.  It's truly stove art and tea art and serving art.  It just satisfies the desire for pretty things like a pretty dress or a new pair of sexy shoes.  Maybe I am exaggerating but I think I could just sit and watch my pots cook all day with equipment like this.  I wouldn't need any other entertainment (sad I know but since we disconnected the telly, I don't have much to watch these days anyway!)

Just look at these

 And doesn't food just look magnificent.  It makes the simplest meal look like a gourmet meal.

This coffee lover could just imagine the beautiful water that would come out of these babies!

Hold me back, I would drink even more coffee and that would really be dangerous!

And don't think that they just do pots, they do all sorts of other accessories too.  All those beautiful things you want to put in your kitchen, the type of a decor that will make people go "wow"!   So look at this brief glimpse of these amazing products.  And there is just so much more......

Butter dishes

 Ramekins

 Aren't these absolutely delightful ?- for that special event.

 And if you are wanting something in rose (yes there are some of us that are still very girly and still love the colour pink - don't mock us!) ..... and purple ...... and did I mention that lovely green!

And there's even a product and colour selector on their site which just could keep me busy all day - choosing which colour and which item - oh well seeing as I can't decide, I think I will just put them all on my wish list.

Please Note:  I have not been asked to write about this product.  They don't know me, they don't know my children - they don't even know my name.- I get nothing from doing this - these are some of those things that I would simply love to own.