The weekend ...

 

 

Arrange a simple bouquet of tulips, give me a book that piques my curiosity and let me lounge for the two days the weekend provides.

I can’t express fully enough how ecstatic I am to see the weekend arrive. Busy living a life of one’s dreams still requires of the dreamer time to rest, and I plan on partaking in this necessity tout de suit! So as always and especially, I would love to hear about your weekend plans if you’d like to share.

 

There has been many blog posts this week, be sure to check them out.

 

 

Have a lovely weekend, and thank you very much for stopping by. Until Monday, bonjour.

The Great Gatsby - Vogue US may 2013

With the much anticipated Baz Luhrman’s rendition of The Great Gatsby set to be released next month at the Cannes Film Festival (May 10th), It would only make sense that I blog about it, since I have been waiting for a re-make of the movie since my matric year 2010. I absolutely adore the book-- I would most definitely list it as one of my favourites and I am sure with all the pomp and splendour The Great Gatsby has to offer, It will be added onto everybody's "favourite" list.

 

As the sixth film rendition of the classic American novel by F. Scott Fitzgerald is set to debut, it appears it will be sparing no expense or detail as earlier released photos and trailers have shown (see below). And of course for the wardrobe, a detail I’ve been greatly anticipating as I adore the flapper, art deco era - Miuccia Prada was chosen by costume designer Catherine Martin to create over 40 looks inspired by styles from the Prada and Miu Miu archives.

 

The female stars of the cast, which include Vogue’s cover girl Carey Mulligan who plays the careless, fun-loving, fashion forward Daisy Buchanan, will be wearing ensembles intended to blend “European glamour, sophistication and elegance” revealing a taste of the luxurious eccentricities that the east coast aristocratic lifestyle was revealing a predilection for during the roaring twenties. Brooks Brothers has clothed the male cast which includes Leonardo DiCaprio (Jay Gatsby), Tobey Maguire (Nick Carraway) and Joel Edgerton (Tom Buchanan).

 

 

 

Chanel Haute Couture

 

 

 

Oscar De La Renta

 

 

Chanel Haute Couture

 

 

Dior Haute Couture

 

 

A Miu Miu Gown

 

 

Alexander McQueen

 

 

Nina Ricci

 

It is quite clear that the wardrobe alone will be something to see, apart from the star-cast and amazing story line.

Grab your Vogue 2013 US to see the complete editorial.

 

 

The Pre-released Prada Sketches for the movie:

 

 

 

The film is full of star power from the cast, to the designer and even the soundtrack which is set to be available on May 7th. Have a look at the playlist below:

1. 100$ Bill - Jay-Z
2. Back To Black - Beyoncé x André 3000
3. Bang Bang - will.i.am
4. A Little Party Never Killed Nobody (All We Got) - Fergie + Q Tip + GoonRock
5. Young And Beautiful - Lana Del Rey
6. Love Is The Drug - Bryan Ferry with The Bryan Ferry Orchestra
7. Over The Love - Florence + The Machine
8. Where The Wind Blows - Coco O. of Quadron
9. Crazy in Love - Emeli Sandé and The Bryan Ferry Orchestra
10. Together – The xx
11. Hearts A Mess - Gotye
12. Love Is Blindness – Jack White
13. Into the Past - Nero
14. Kill and Run – Sia

Intrigued? Well, it’s imperative to understand the aesthetics of Baz Luhrman films. If you’ve seen Moulin Rouge and his rendition of Romeo & Juliet, you won’t be surprised; however, if you haven’t, be prepared for what I expect to be, while accurate regarding the basic plot of the novel, sure to include unique modern and special effect touches (i.e. the designs, music, scenes, etc) that enliven the screen and appetize your eyes and ears. Simply watch the trailer to see what I mean. Needless to say, so long as the classic tale is told, I can’t wait to enjoy it when it reaches nationwide theaters early this winter. 

Time to Recharge!

“People who do a job that claims to be creative have to be alone to recharge their batteries. You can’t live 24 hours a day in the spotlight and remain creative. For people like me, solitude is a victory.”
― Karl Lagerfeld

 

 

 

Life can be a thrilling adventure full of moments of excitement, celebration and constant motion, but in order for life to be fully appreciated and molded into a legacy of quality and true contentment, such a frantic pace cannot be sustained endlessly.

While I have always enjoyed trying new things and traveling, I have also always known that I need downtime. Without downtime to recharge, I am not my best self, I don’t make good decisions and, I’ll admit it, I get rather grouchy.

And while we all may agree with the idea of recharging in theory, there may be some that still aren’t aware that they are running themselves ragged because it has become a daily routine, a regular expectation.

Here are some signs that you need to take a day or two to recharge:

• the to-do list is overwhelming, and you feel like you’re on an unending wheel of responsibility and demands, not all of which excite you to complete
• the alarm clock is relied on without question and pressing the snooze button occurs more regularly than normal
• quick to anger and become frustrating with simple tasks that normally wouldn’t have set you off
• feeling rushed to make decisions, and in doing so don’t feel good about the decisions you do make (large or small)
• the house is a wreck and chores haven’t been completed that regularly would have been easily finished

The basic idea of realizing we need to recharge is when we feel out of sync, discombobulated in the world and life we’ve made for ourselves and begging for rest or time to simply catch up.

Rather than asking for time to catch up, take a time out and reassess what led to the schedule getting out of hand.

Sometimes it isn’t the daily schedule that needs to be tweaked. Rather a life change or transition has occurred, and you are trying to adjust and settle. Feeling exhausted and temporarily out of place in this type of situation is completely normal and expected. In such a scenario, give yourself a break, don’t beat yourself up, and afford yourself time to clear your head before making any other big decisions. Usually you are also emotionally tired because of the novelty that your life has introduced to you.

However, if it is your daily schedule that is draining your ability to be your best self, some editing is required.

 

As far as how to recharge, let me share with you what works for me. below is the entire list that I depend on to make me feel at the top of my game, refuel my creativity and promptly set me back on track.

 

1. An empty schedule.

 

2. A clean house.

 

3. Walks on the beach.

 

4. A bubble bath.

 

5. Unlimited time to catch up on my stack of newspapers, magazines and other reading material that I have been wanting to dive into

 

6. A good night’s sleep without the alert of an alarm clock.

7. Kitchen therapy.

 

8. A nap when your body asks for it.

 

9. Wonderful coffee and appetizers

 

11. Time in the yard or outside

 

12. A flexible meeting or time to chat with a good friend and just relax in each others’ company.

 

13. A leisurely morning to watch saved episodes of Barefoot Contessa.

 

14. Evenings that are topped off with a hot cup of lemon water and a decadent chocolate truffle.

 

style : sophisticated chic

 

 

Sophisticated chic requires of the live model to be confident, nonchalant in presentation and unaffected by any reaction of others who observe her sartorial wisdom. Whether it is working with the current trends in a way that melds with her signature style or incorporating vintage finds in such an approach that is new and refreshing, embodying sophisticated style is possible when we understand how our body works with clothes, which of our assets deserve to be accentuated and what cuts and colors are most flattering to reveal our best stylish selves.

Sophisticated chic is not about modeling what looks good on someone else, it is about finding your own style and using it to look like the very best you can be. Some styles work for us and some styles don't, It is important to stick to the style that you look and feel great in,

Today, I’ve gathered together images of women who radiate a sophisticated chic style that is inspiring and very doable.

Weigh LESS NOW!! an INSPIRATION!

Everyone who knows me, know I am an absolute health fanatic and freak! BUT there is only one weight loss organization that I would recommend to ANYONE!! and that is "weigh less". I have seen weigh less change the life of MANY people, for the better of course. AND IF YOU NEED IT IT CAN CHANGE YOUR LIFE TOO!!

 

personally, "weigh less" is one of the healthiest diet and weight loss centre's as it give you a balanced meal, not depriving you of things such as 'carbs' - unlike other diet plans, as well as the fact that they DO NOT make you starve, you eat a healthy meal which keeps you FULL while losing weight at the same time! SO get down to your nearest "weigh less" NOW!

 

A very good school friend of mine, went onto the weigh less diet and LOST 21 KILOS in 10 MONTHS!!!

 

want to know how she did it? carry on reading!!!

 

Before you hear Fadeliah's story, I wanted to ask her a few questions, here it is...

 

 

 1.)Dieting isn't always easy, and majority of the time you see others eating junk, how did you resist?

been surrounded by people who constantly eat junk was and is still never easy .. when everyone is eating a big mac burger and you eat a salad,its very hard. it all came down to discipline and self control. i knew how badly i wanted to loose weight , so i resisted temptation and when you realize that you have overcome temptation, it is the best feeling you will ever experience

 

2.) Some days are really hard, and it takes a lot to not slip back into old habits, how did you resist?

there are days when all i want to do is throw in the towl, but then i remember how far I've come and all the handwork I've put into getting where i am now , and that in its own helps me to not slip back. on days that are really hard , i usually just hit the gym or go for a run - you will be amazed at how good you feel afterwards.

3. Weighless is a weight loss organization that I swear by, would you recommend it to others?

Absolutely !!! weigh less is the BEST weight loss programme i have ever encountered. it is not just a diet but it becomes a lifestyle. the thing i love about weigh less is that you are not restricted from eating things like carbs. you eat everything but in the correct quantities. it is a100% natural weight loss , no pills or slimming shakes and thats what makes it so rewarding.

 

4.) What do you eat now? What are your daily meals like?

well i eat 5 meals a day.Everyday is almost the same except you change some stuff around.

breakfast: consists of a carb and diary which would be your cereal and milk.

mid morning snack: a dairy serve, fat free/low fat yoghurt with a fruit.

lunch: consists of a carb in the form of bread,rolls,pita,wrap,crackers,rice cakes etc, protein and salad.

early afternoon snack : fruit

late afternoon snack: a protein and a carb

dinner: consists of carbs in the form of rice,pasta,potato wedges, baked potato etc, protein-fish,chicken or meat and i have 2-3 veggie serves.

as you can see, you eat quite a lot in the day and that keeps you from going hungry or feeling nibbling. theres also a lot of variety that you can choose from which makes each day exciting.

i eat a lot of chicken fillet or white meat and try have very little red meat. if you I do, i make sure it is lean.

the breads that i eat are all whole wheat or low GI brown.

most importantly, i have 2l/8 glasses of water everyday.

thats just a very basic outline of what i eat on a daily basis.

 

(fabbfitfun: Remember , everything fadeliah eats is measured and weighed, there are strict measurements and portion control, it is give or take, you cant eat it all, so if you want the recommened dietery allowance, visit weigh less!)

5.) Do you indulge now a days? And how often?

 there are times when i have a little cheat . and it is usually once a week.

it is vitally important to remember not to turn a cheat meal into a cheat day .

and do not allow a cheat to turn into a binge .

 

Now here is Fadeliah's story, followed by some before and after pictures.

Hi Everyone. Its such a privilege and an honour to be able to able to share with you my weight loss journey.I hope that by reading this you too will be motivated to make a positive change in your life , because if I can , then so can you .

My name is Fadeliah Sheikh-Yunoos and I am 20 years old.  Growing up, I was always the “big girl”. I was made fun of and laughed at during my primary school years because I was bigger or rather the biggest child in my grade. As I got older, so did I get bigger and bigger. Been on the hefty size runs through my genes , as almost all my family members on my paternal side are overweight. A lot of my weight gain in my senior years was due to comfort eating.

There came a point in my life where eating was my only escape. I loved dining out, ordering take out and always eating greasy, fatty meals. I can remember that I got so fat that I started feeling extremely uncomfortable with myself, my clothes no longer fitted me and I was just “ a round ball.” I found it difficult to walk up stairs and a simple thing like playing with my dogs was such an effort.

Slowly, my family started intervening and told me that I needed to do something about my weight. At first I rebelled and felt that they were picking on me but eventually I realized that I HAD to do something about the way I looked.

In June 2012, I took the step and I joined weigh less. I was extremely apprehensive because I had never been on a weight loss programme before.

Well , all I can say is that taking that step to join weigh less together with regular exercising was the best decision I had made. 10 months later, I stand proudly having lost 21kg’s.

The road to my weight loss did not come easy . it required  a lot of  dedication , commitment ,motivation, will power, discipline and most importantly , self control. The best feeling that I experienced and still do is standing on that scale and getting told that you have lost weight in that week. It makes you feel so good and motivates you even more for the week ahead. Hitting “ bumps In the road” is inevitable, but if you serious enough about loosing your weight, you will regain your motivation and get back on track.

Weigh-less is not a diet, but rather a lifestyle change. a lifestyle change that I really needed, and today I am reaping the benefit. Not only did this lifestyle change only affect my weight but it has also made me a lot more confident, increased my self-esteem and I feel sexy in almost everything I wear. Been constantly complimented on “how amazing I look”, makes me feel like all my time and effort I have put into this 10 months has really paid off. Going shopping now, is so much more enjoyable because I can try on a garment and it actually fits – best reward by far, as opposed to before where I had too put items back on the rail as they were too tight. This weight loss has made me a lot more active, less tired and I have energy that I’ve never had before.

The best advice that I can give you is to remember to NEVER compare yourself  to anyone else. Your body structure and metabolism is completely different to someone else’s. so don’t make goals for yourself based on others because then you are setting yourself up for disappointment. Set goals for yourself based on your own metabolism and body structure, and ensure that the goals you set are attainable and realistic, and then you are on the road to success. No one ever said that weight loss is easy, all I’m saying is that its worth it …!!

AND FOR THE AFTER :

 

 

 There you have it guys-- true dedication can get you there, and sometimes you feel you alone but you aren't, you have people experiencing similar difficulties! If you dislike your body, stop eating and do something about it. NO ONE CAN MAKE THE change, except YOU!!!

and remember, you never alone, fabfitfun is here with YOU :P ;)

 

Why Not . . . Live a Life of Quality?

In a recent article in the Times Magazine, the topic of life expectancy was placed in the spotlight. While the average life expectancy at birth currently in the United States is 79, the number is deceiving, and the statistic itself for the past few centuries is misunderstood as well. Why? It’s an average. An average that must take into account child mortality rates and every social economical situation into account that can drastically change or skew the number.

For example, as the article points out in Sweden during 1800, the average life expectancy was 32. Clearly this seems drastically low, but in reality, so long as one survived childbirth and early childhood, one could expect to live well beyond this number. However, it was the high child death rate that brought the number down.

Now, I don’t write this to frighten you – quite the contrary. What the article revealed was that the length of one’s life is acutely determined by the quality of one’s life. In other words, good and necessary healthcare, the reduction of stress, and other factors that create a life of peace, security and physical good health, ultimately determine the years in our life expectancy.

As I poured over this article yesterday morning, I couldn’t help but ask the question, so what exactly does a quality life look like? This is what I came up with:

 

 

1. Good Health

While we can’t change our genetic coding, we can control what we eat, how much we move, our thoughts and the environment we live in. We can also be preventative by scheduling regular well-patient visits with our primary physician to catch any abnormality that may show up in screenings.

 

2. Security – Financial and Physical

When we know we have money in the bank and a sound roof over our heads, our minds are able to relax. And by reducing our stress, we assist our bodies in being at optimum health. Unnecessary and excessive stress reduces our body’s ability to take care of itself, and when our body can’t take care of itself, it is less able to fight off viruses and diseases that it would normally be shielded from.

 

3. Ability to Regularly Use Innate Talents

Knowing you are contributing positively to society as well as tapping into your passion and natural talents is one of the most rewarding and enriching things you can do to create a life of quality and fulfillment. If you have found the profession, hobby or life’s work that melds these two worlds of talent and societal need, you know the extreme joy that can be felt. If you haven’t yet found your passion or an avenue in which it fits, keep searching. Eventually, you will find your niche and it will be worth the time spend seeking out the right path.

 

4. Ability to Live Authentically

When you are able to be yourself, to not hide who you are and what you wish to contribute, a burden is lifted that reduces the unnecessary stress you were carrying. Seek out people who accept you for who you are and do your best to steer clear of those who laugh, berate or tease you for being someone different from what they understand or accept. They don’t deserve your gift.

 

5. Involved in Loving and Respectful Relationships

It’s not the number of friends and loved ones in your life but rather the quality relationships you have with those who you invite into your inner circle that create a fulfilling life. Knowing you have people who you can trust, lean on in times of trial and enjoy the beauty that life presents each and every day is something that must be created consciously. There will be many people who will want to be your friend, lover, confidante. Take the time to see if they indeed are worthy of what they seek. Your patience and diligence will save you much unnecessary heartbreak and pain.

 

6. Equal Rights, Freedoms and Protections

Living in a country, community and family that affords you a voice might seem unnecessary initially to creating a quality life. But when you know that you can speak up when you’ve been wronged and justice can be served, when you know that the life you’ve created can’t be demolished for unjust reasons, and when you know that qualities that you have no control over can’t limit your rights, then less sleep is lost and less stress on the body is felt.

 

7. Adequate Rest and Rejuvenation

Even if you have all of the other items on this list, if you are not able to slow down every once in awhile and rest, your health and your ability to appreciate and enjoy the life you’re working so hard to create will be diminished. Saying no, going on regular vacations, not leaving town each weekend, are just a few pleasurable must-dos for a life of quality.

 

8. Time to be Still and Savor the Present Moment

In finding time to rest and recharge, being able to regularly be still and simply bask in the beauty that is the life you’ve created is a wonderful way to remind yourself that you have an amazing life. When you can savor the moment, you can be clear about what you truly need and what is only a craving that will soon pass. But if you are never able to slow down, bad decisions are more likely to occur, causing unnecessary stress that could have easily been avoided.

 

9. Opportunities to Learn and Grow

A life of quality is one that involves continual growth. For when we choose to perpetually be learning, we can never be truly “old”. Because as we learn, we shed our selves from yesterday, the ignorance of the past and move forward toward a life that is more in tune with our values and lived with more appreciation.

As you see, it is not that we live, it is how we live that creates a life of quality and not only improves the life in our years, but the years in our life.

how to be SKINNY!!

Act like you're a size smaller, and you will be! Find out how thin women thrive in a super-sized world.

1. They choose satisfied over stuffed

On a fullness scale of 1 to 10, skinny women stop eating at a level of 6 or 7,The rest of us may keep going to an 8 or 10. Why? It may be because you mistakenly equate the sensation of fullness with satisfaction and feel deprived if you stop short, says Fleming. Or you may just be used to finishing what's in front of you, regardless of whether you really need it.

Copy Them: To eat like skinny women, about halfway through your next meal, put your fork down and, using the 1 to 10 scale, rate your level of fullness. Do it again when you have about five bites left. The goal is to increase your awareness of how satisfied you feel during a meal. (Bonus: It also slows down your eating, which allows the sensation of fullness to settle in.)

2. They realize hunger isn't an emergency

Most of us who struggle with extra kilos tend to view hunger as a condition that needs to be cured—and fast, "If you fear hunger, you might routinely overeat to avoid it," she says. Thin people tolerate it because they know hunger pangs always come and go, buying them some time.

Copy Them: Pick a busy day to purposely delay lunch by an hour or two. Or try skipping an afternoon snack one day. You'll see that you can still function just fine. Then next time you feel those grumbles, you'll hold off before making a beeline for the fridge

 

 

3. They don't cure sadness with food

It's not that skinny women are immune to emotional eating, But they tend to recognize when they're doing it and stop.

Copy Them: Add the word 'Halt' to your vocabulary. More than just a command (as in stop eating that entire sleeve of cookies), it's an acronym that stands for Hungry, Angry, Lonely, or Tired—the four most common triggers for emotional eating.

If you're truly hungry, eat a balanced snack, such as a handful of nuts, to tide you over until your next meal. But if you're angry, lonely, or tired, seek an alternative calorie-free solution to your emotional need. Blow off steam by going for a run or just jumping around—the heartbeat boost will help dissipate your anger. Lonely? Call a friend, e-mail a family member, or walk to the park or mall. Being around others will make you feel more connected to your community (even if you don't bump into anyone you know). If you're tired, for heaven's sake, sleep!

4. They eat more fruit

Skinny women, on average, have one more serving of fruit and eat more fiber and less fat per day than overweight people.

Copy Them: Start tinkering. To eat like skinny women, examine your diet for ways to add whole fruits (not juices) to your meals and snacks. Aim for two or three servings per day. Sprinkle berries in your cereal or on your yogurt. Add sliced pears to your turkey sandwich, or bake an apple for dessert. Keep a bowl of fruit on your kitchen table or desk to motivate you to think fruit first, vending machine never.

 

5. They're creatures of habit

Any dietitian will tell you that a varied diet is good--but too much variety can backfire, "Thin people have what I call a food groove—the majority of their meals consist of well-planned staples," says Beck. "There are a few surprises thrown in, but for the most part, their diets are fairly predictable."

Copy Them: Try to eat as consistently as possible with your major meals—have cereal for breakfast, a salad at lunch, and so forth. It's okay to add grilled chicken to the salad one day and tuna the next, but by sticking to a loosely prescribed meal schedule, you limit the opportunities to overindulge.

 

 

6. They have a self-control gene

Women with low disinhibition (in other words, a finely tuned sense of restraint) had the lowest body mass index. High disinhibition (i.e., low restraint) was linked to an adult weight gain of as much as 15 Kilos.

Copy Them: Prepare for moments when your disinhibition is likely to be higher—such as when you're in a festive atmosphere with a large group of friends. If you're at a party, tell yourself you'll take one of every fourth passed hors d'oeuvre. If you're out at dinner, order an appetizer portion and share dessert. Or if you're stressed—another low-restraint moment—make sure you have a source of crunchy snacks (like fruit or carrot sticks) at the ready.

7. They're movers and shakers

On average, skinny women are on their feet an extra 2 1/2 hours per day—which can help burn off 15 kilos a year, according to a study from the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN.

Copy Them: Try a reality check. Studies have shown that people often overestimate how active they really are, says Gallagher. Most people actually spend 16 to 20 hours a day just sitting. Wear a pedometer on an average day, and see how close you get to the recommended 10,000 steps. Your day should combine 30 minutes of structured exercise with a variety of healthy habits, such as taking the stairs instead of the elevator or mopping the floor with extra vigor.

 

8. They sleep well

Skinny women snooze 2 more hours per week, compared with overweight people. Researchers theorize that a lack of shut-eye is linked to lower levels of appetite-suppressing hormones like leptin and higher levels of the appetite-boosting hormone ghrelin.

Copy Them: Break it down: Two extra hours of sleep a week is only 17 more minutes a day—a lot more manageable, even for the most packed of schedules. Start there and slowly work toward 8 hours of snooze time a night—the right amount for most adults.

why you should eat healthier!

Weight loss is not just about seeing a smaller number on the scale or wearing clothes in a smaller size — it’s all about learning how to take better care of your body and improve your health. There are so many healthy eating advantages even beyond weight loss.

 

 

 

#1 – More energy.

Being undernourished makes you feel exhausted, weak, and sluggish. Having tons of energy and feeling strong is just one of many healthy eating advantages. Imagine waking up each morning and eagerly getting out of bed to start your day. Imagine having plenty of energy to carry you through the day, no matter how busy it is. Imagine going to bed each night feeling proud of all you accomplished during the day, and feeling like you still have energy to spare. By the way, your quality of sleep is better when you eat healthy too, so you wake up feeling refreshed instead of foggy-headed and still tired.

 

#2 – Clearer thoughts.

Have you ever struggled to concentrate? It’s not fun feeling like you can’t quite get your thoughts together, especially if you really need to concentrate on something important. Low-quality foods don’t provide the nutrients your brain needs to function properly, leaving you feeling like your head is stuffed full of cotton. A great advantage to healthy eating is that your focus improves – a lot! Your mental energy increases just like your physical energy does.

 

 

#3 – Better moods.

You benefit emotionally from healthy eating too. Rather than struggling with mood swings and irritability, you’ll find that you just feel good almost all of the time. Healthy eating advantages include feeling confident, happy, inspired, alert, resilient – nothing can hold you down for long. This is partially due to proper nourishment, but may also be affected by eliminating mood-altering substances like sugar and chemicals that are found in most processed foods.

 

 

 

#4 – Easier weight loss.

Oh sure, you know that eating healthy helps you lose weight, but did you know that it can help you lose weight more easily? That’s because your poor body won’t be fighting to stay in balance like it does when you keep feeding it junk that throws everything out of whack. Eating whole, nutritious foods in their natural form provides the fuel your organs, muscles and glands need to keep all of your body’s processes working efficiently, including your metabolism.

 

There are truly endless healthy eating advantages, but just these few should make you feel determined to stick with your healthy lifestyle for good.