Awards Show Anatomy

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyZH2eGxH4G132d54CtvBuKELYbQ2CrGUlg5MUnvMOtEhFZuNxx0OhxEZz1vNwpMVzoHyqmUMHrBbubUu4Y3ffulvv0fXGKWPTHhIK8jITT8Dlu2UmFIrob-CVZkcJrFWZrdBf-FzBbNs/s1600/star+trophy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyZH2eGxH4G132d54CtvBuKELYbQ2CrGUlg5MUnvMOtEhFZuNxx0OhxEZz1vNwpMVzoHyqmUMHrBbubUu4Y3ffulvv0fXGKWPTHhIK8jITT8Dlu2UmFIrob-CVZkcJrFWZrdBf-FzBbNs/s320/star+trophy.jpg" width="221" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Awards Season is well underway in all it's glittery, frivolous glory, where actors, directors and producers are made out to be far more important than they really are. I cannot bear to watch another 4 hour dreary display of dull humour and lengthy speeches, endured by bored audiences, who senselessly applaud every spoken word.</span><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /><br /></span><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You don't need to keep track of every awards show to realise that the formula has stayed exactly the same since the 1920's. VIP guests get dressed up, interviewed and photographed by worldwide media, then proceed to the exclusively designed auditorium. I wonder what it would be like if they didn't spend hundreds of thousands of wasted dollars on creating the show, decor, food, gifts and gowns. Can you imagine celebrities dressed in organic, natural fiber non-designer dresses, surviving in an un-airconditioned community hall, with specially carved wooden planks as awards. Definitely not.</span><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /><br /></span><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Every year, the chosen presenter will <i>try </i>to entertain the unamused crowd with terrible jokes, and they are <i>always</i> terrible. The funniest thing about these shows is when the winner of each category in announced. Each of the 5 nominees will sit on the edge of their seats, wishing and praying that it's their name called out. When it's not, they will smile politely, gritting their teeth and fighting back the urge not to scream or even whisper any curse words - especially since the camera focuses directly on their disappointment. When the winner goes on stage to collect his/her award, the first thing he/she always says is, "I can't believe this! I never expected to win!" Followed by, "I haven't even prepared a speech..." but then they suddenly burst into a 10 minute perfectly prepared paperback novel, thanking every person (by name, nickname and title) of their 500-member team "who have made this possible." Throw in some tears and you have tomorrows front page entertainment news story. It's <i>always</i> the same, trust me. </span><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /><br /></span><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Award ceremonies are just an excuse for the rich, fake and famous to get fabulous free gowns and parade around, waving at crazed fans and posing for the camera with wide smiles pasted onto their faces. That's why I <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">only</span> watch them for the fashion ;)</span><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /><br /></span>

Awards Show Anatomy

Awards Season is well underway in all it's glittery, frivolous glory, where actors, directors and producers are made out to be far more ...

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Atelier Versace Evening Gowns

<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large; font-weight: bold;">Atelier Versace Spring/Summer Collection 2011</span><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b><br /><br /></b></span></span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBH5hj_gRIB22rKbnrla5dgbt8WMZE5lwydIpYrnL6k-RzJE-Mz-uIusJZhG3Ab9lh_gDzG1cFLVRrYojucvKzONA7raLHI3boOntQt1PVLwLAHA7R4hi-wXxdFvUwDK61dZz5cirfRvc/s1600/Versace+atelier+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBH5hj_gRIB22rKbnrla5dgbt8WMZE5lwydIpYrnL6k-RzJE-Mz-uIusJZhG3Ab9lh_gDzG1cFLVRrYojucvKzONA7raLHI3boOntQt1PVLwLAHA7R4hi-wXxdFvUwDK61dZz5cirfRvc/s640/Versace+atelier+3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkHWWrbNQ6geedMVNHRyHwZDMjbZOdzspQvRDB-O-SlLX9Eyzf7n5VLMhzSuDmt_V8dJ0VDTmvjHfZapI6PZBTgb0jg5GRVWgq1qL59JCXx9gFdZp7aX_f6V91MhnuSx1HmtYRxcXcIAw/s1600/Verscae+atelier.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkHWWrbNQ6geedMVNHRyHwZDMjbZOdzspQvRDB-O-SlLX9Eyzf7n5VLMhzSuDmt_V8dJ0VDTmvjHfZapI6PZBTgb0jg5GRVWgq1qL59JCXx9gFdZp7aX_f6V91MhnuSx1HmtYRxcXcIAw/s640/Verscae+atelier.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtYnJrGlHOUn1H6b_xWi2gzKjtCpjXoeW3LF5nfL1N2ylIvlltV5zQ7udl5EJfE8rrIJ0dOe-ei4I3L948MOHTnkcwEjC-X97rAgvPQVF4R9OXS0E-jHhcnx9DK6dinhMoRO-9GGvdBBg/s1600/Versace+atelier+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtYnJrGlHOUn1H6b_xWi2gzKjtCpjXoeW3LF5nfL1N2ylIvlltV5zQ7udl5EJfE8rrIJ0dOe-ei4I3L948MOHTnkcwEjC-X97rAgvPQVF4R9OXS0E-jHhcnx9DK6dinhMoRO-9GGvdBBg/s640/Versace+atelier+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Versace have released their Atelier Spring/Summer 2011 Collection in sublime designs and a palette of pretty colours. I love the array of soft frills, intricate ruffles and interesting use of colour fading. Australian model Abbey Lee Kershaw looks doll-like in this ultra-feminine range. My favs are the asymmetrical gray-to-black tiered frill gown (middle left) and the sugary shaded pink ruffle-bottom dress (bottom middle).</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In a perfect haute couture world, I would be able to own each one of these enchanting evening gowns <i>and</i> have some somewhere fabulous to wear them to. Unfortunately, this is not a perfect world, but a girl can always dream.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /><br /></span></div>

Atelier Versace Evening Gowns

Atelier Versace Spring/Summer Collection 2011 Versace have released their Atelier Spring/Summer 2011 Collection in sublime designs and a pal...

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Roger Vivier Heels

<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Rendez-Vous Collection 2011</span></span></span></b><br /><br /><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;">by Roger Vivier</span></i></span></b><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, sans-serif;"><br /><br /></span><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Rendez-Vous</i> is an opulent collection of couture accessories from French fashion-house <i>Roger Vivier. </i>This high-fashion brand specializes in luxury handbags and exquisitely crafted leather shoes, headed by creative director, Bruno Frisoni. The limited edition <i>Rendez-Vous Collection</i> will be showcased around the world at Vivier's seven boutiques, traveling from Milan to Miami. These high-end items will only be available at each store for just one week, at a specified date. Only ten to twenty pieces of each accessory has been made. Exclusive <i>and</i> expensive - these shoes range from $995 to $10 300 and bags from $1275 to $8600.</span><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i><br /><br /></i></b></span><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #c27ba0;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Spring Collection 2011</span></span></b></span><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><br /><br /></b></span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFxLhzAi_DL75rL2P0AnYbnpCimsEfbD9uKisdixVkQa5mns2IszN42hayNIAVXdPwEph-K9sAynUHM6FS03pL0aaYS7Zyn2FwRx3PZwb5eqFxckNw-RbKUl1A7oAPtwBHv2499HnXchE/s1600/Roger+Vivier+Spring.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFxLhzAi_DL75rL2P0AnYbnpCimsEfbD9uKisdixVkQa5mns2IszN42hayNIAVXdPwEph-K9sAynUHM6FS03pL0aaYS7Zyn2FwRx3PZwb5eqFxckNw-RbKUl1A7oAPtwBHv2499HnXchE/s640/Roger+Vivier+Spring.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Spring Collection is inspired by mid-century French art, and made from natural materials like wood, woven straw, cord, leather and tea-stained canvas. The silk organza, beads, wooden petals, organic lace, roses and hand-painted effects add dimension and whimsicality to these spectacular designs.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #c27ba0;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Fall Collection 2011</span></span></span></b><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><br /><br /></b></span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgekCHZLCGmttmVat6evPSlHRT6lrognS2CP1IGcd-6wHUenbh-KeN7G15C2zYzqeEChAfImsfIIVIiyVDn9rfVMFAnQSqE3bXZMmnHLCZpcCVmKs5AZx4UCyM3x0OapmthhH6jWR9dzYA/s1600/Roger+vivier.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgekCHZLCGmttmVat6evPSlHRT6lrognS2CP1IGcd-6wHUenbh-KeN7G15C2zYzqeEChAfImsfIIVIiyVDn9rfVMFAnQSqE3bXZMmnHLCZpcCVmKs5AZx4UCyM3x0OapmthhH6jWR9dzYA/s640/Roger+vivier.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Fall Collection exudes pure luxury in elaborate black and gold designs. Inspired by refined Rock 'n Roll with a 1930's twist, this fierce range features stilettos adorned with gold chainmail, beads, feathers and sequins. For more of these stunning shoes and accessories, visit <a href="http://Rogervivier.com/">Rogervivier.com</a></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /><br /></span></div>

Roger Vivier Heels

Rendez-Vous Collection 2011 by Roger Vivier Rendez-Vous  is an opulent collection of couture accessories from French fashion-house Roger Viv...

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Passing Youth

<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Birthdays may celebrate all the years that have made your life beautiful, but it also indicates that you've grown a year older. Another year signifies that our carefree, idealized youth has passed and we unwillingly have to settle into responsible adulthood. As if trying to cram 20-something candles on a cake wasn't bad enough, there are many other signs out there that prove you're getting old. </span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBmqhERo-a_CE3OsncNI6G5h5FATli7z3cd5l1mkTAjQSe9S7dhTv65oIcJ375s6l1iQ3eInrWIhBGqwBhQJqEZ33Mvl7mzwWUYRHqWnjPkiFPd-MScIR0EJ3TFSyNE5zDOUxTu_LXItc/s1600/cake.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBmqhERo-a_CE3OsncNI6G5h5FATli7z3cd5l1mkTAjQSe9S7dhTv65oIcJ375s6l1iQ3eInrWIhBGqwBhQJqEZ33Mvl7mzwWUYRHqWnjPkiFPd-MScIR0EJ3TFSyNE5zDOUxTu_LXItc/s1600/cake.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">"Age is a question of mind over matter. If you don't mind, it doesn't matter." </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">Satchel Paige</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, sans-serif; font-size: small; font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;"> </span></span></span></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, sans-serif;"><br /><br /></span><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #c27ba0;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">You Know You're Getting Old When...</span></span></b></span><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><br /><br /></b></span><br /><br /><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The songs you listened to when you were young are now referred to as 'Classics' on the radio. When did <i>Genie in a Bottle</i> and Britney's <i>One More Time</i> become 'Classics'?</span></li><br /><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">All your friends have kids old enough to call you Aunt or Uncle. After all, they were taught to speak to their <span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;">elders</span> with respect.</span></li><br /><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Chatting to the above-mentioned kids, you begin all sentences with, "When I was your age..."</span></li><br /><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You've not only had to invest in an anti-wrinkle cream, but the entire anti-wrinkle, collagen boosting, skin-tightening, cell renewing, line eliminating product range.</span></li><br /><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You have to ask a 13 year old to interpret abbreviations & slang used in emails, IM's and sms's you've received.</span></li><br /><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You have no idea who Willow Smith, Justin Bieber, Taylor Momsen or Selena Gomez are. You've heard their names before and just assume that they are part of that <i>Twilight</i> movie or <i>The Jonas Brothers</i>.</span></li><br /><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You avoid going to places where the music's too loud and the crowd's too rowdy. In fact, you're appalled by the behaviour of 'Today's Youth', forgetting that 10 years ago, someone was appalled by <i>your</i> behaviour.</span></li><br /><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You don't use the newspaper as a floor-mat anymore, you actually <i>read</i> it.</span></li><br /><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You don't stay out later than 9pm on a Sunday, any later and you won't be able to wake up early for work the next morning.</span></li><br /><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You don't need to show your ID anymore to prove you're over 18. However, you need it to prove that you're still under 35. Ouch.</span></li><br /></ul><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwLVorjWC4JCe0zR9hMKO3G9m2i8ZnLhGwDLUb-Q9h_01VqUfiaXoj9JhxW9mpk05Atd9SbISciC-otMZNUDlVHZTA-0oxxuO2FyyM3kPfdb8gjalZ-vtkBwtfN1WEKdBgcZrmAc4y2a4/s1600/getting+old.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="273" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwLVorjWC4JCe0zR9hMKO3G9m2i8ZnLhGwDLUb-Q9h_01VqUfiaXoj9JhxW9mpk05Atd9SbISciC-otMZNUDlVHZTA-0oxxuO2FyyM3kPfdb8gjalZ-vtkBwtfN1WEKdBgcZrmAc4y2a4/s400/getting+old.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /><br /></span></div>

Passing Youth

Birthdays may celebrate all the years that have made your life beautiful, but it also indicates that you've grown a year older. Another ...

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Declarations of a Drama Queen

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKvdlYpTxAyP8sLBF3si7pII9tR3tFMQjZLEA9wlhezrhPe9uWkY9t5BeV3E_PzrrEDPu7AN5nh4f4yDuXUUeeiGi-ecDS7LXyVyt9gTryxqQrCZa166S8AuCXr9yYGn7d1cAPmDV2dn4/s1600/Marilyn+monroe.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="368" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKvdlYpTxAyP8sLBF3si7pII9tR3tFMQjZLEA9wlhezrhPe9uWkY9t5BeV3E_PzrrEDPu7AN5nh4f4yDuXUUeeiGi-ecDS7LXyVyt9gTryxqQrCZa166S8AuCXr9yYGn7d1cAPmDV2dn4/s400/Marilyn+monroe.gif" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div>

Declarations of a Drama Queen

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Under Construction

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvqD3szGNQo7GfGjWRFzKUn5RD99kPcnumxZPF5rpc024G5h2XCwGrPlYu41qBmHVkU9yfIpEYrDI7D0r614V62X91mYzlL1jZDcBgK4igUjSTLTnQjsZx2FdSk3epGKhtkf9Qvt3o73U/s1600/tools+pink.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvqD3szGNQo7GfGjWRFzKUn5RD99kPcnumxZPF5rpc024G5h2XCwGrPlYu41qBmHVkU9yfIpEYrDI7D0r614V62X91mYzlL1jZDcBgK4igUjSTLTnQjsZx2FdSk3epGKhtkf9Qvt3o73U/s400/tools+pink.jpg" width="368" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Any homeowner or flat-letter would know that a house is never really complete. There's always something to be done - new furniture to be bought, redecorating, recolouring, redesigning and renovating. Those are redevelopments that we willingly choose to do. We put our creative ideas forth, start a home refurbishment fund and set a systematic plan into action. The outcome is (usually) what we imagine it to be. And then there's the unplanned upgrades. You know, the ones that sneakily spring up on you, like the leaky roof, cracked tiles, chipped paint and broken window. It happens when you least expect it and has to be fixed without delay, or else the problem worsens. The cycle of repair and restoration never seems to stop, whether it's by choice or mere bad luck.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">These little household fractures require you to hire a hard-to-find construction team, buy all sorts of expensive building material you've never heard of and have your home turned into ground zero. The site of construction is a nightmare, covering all your belongings in a desert of dust and dirt. The end result takes weeks, sometimes months to become a reality and by the time it's done, you will discover that there's something new to be fixed. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">With all the torrential rainfall recently, we had to have our roof redone, as it was turning our upper level into somewhat of an indoor swimming pool. It took ages to find a reliable contractor in Small Town, SA and when we finally did, they could barely work a day a week due to the storms. They got ahead eventually and retiled the roof; however in the laborious process, the ceilings were badly affected by the leakage and fell apart. I had a skylight in my room without even asking for one. This meant we had to redo our ceilings - another unplanned event with many more woeful weeks of building. We were knee-deep in rubble and wreckage; displaced from most of our rooms and needed to wear safety helmets, as the 'sky' literally fell down onto our floors. It was a stressful and straining experience and I thought Hurricane Home-Improvement would never end. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When it was time to put up my new ceiling, I had an interesting design idea. I thought, why not use this predicament and turn it into something beautiful. I had my eye on a crystal chandelier I'd seen in a catalogue and always wanted but never had the appropriate opportunity or reason to purchase it. Since my lights were slightly damaged by the fall, this was the perfect time to get it. The agonizing months of decor disaster was actually worth it in the end, as with a flick of a switch, my room (and day) was lit up by the grand chandelier. Sometimes, all it takes is a small significant change to uplift your home-space and spirits.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Renovating your home is a lot like renovating your life. We too go through break-ups & breakdowns, crumbling complexities, splintered emotions and shattered dreams. We feel so despondent and down in the dumps during the difficult times, that we often can't see past it. With a little ray of hope, revived vision and some constructive thinking, you can mend your mindset and you will realise that something better and more beautiful is destined for you. It may sound cliché, but there <i>is</i> light at the end of every tunnel, or in my case, a chandelier.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /><br /></span></div>

Under Construction

Any homeowner or flat-letter would know that a house is never really complete. There's always something to be done - new furniture to be...

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The Scent of Radiance

<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666;">Radiance</span></span></span></b><br /><br /><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;">A Fragrance by Britney Spears</span></i></span></b><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i><br /><br /></i></b></span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF5JbZZfIrdAiqGAbskAn5t-88fxMXFsHOiwwOs8xBB6krTYV0hjSSPmc_C-aZPZNIMauySvcGs0awTTvTa73kO0JNixkXB9Q565mNfOxBqJlg-F8Hht2h8lnDb_jCA3QVDZFlXBPR934/s1600/britney_spears_radiance_photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF5JbZZfIrdAiqGAbskAn5t-88fxMXFsHOiwwOs8xBB6krTYV0hjSSPmc_C-aZPZNIMauySvcGs0awTTvTa73kO0JNixkXB9Q565mNfOxBqJlg-F8Hht2h8lnDb_jCA3QVDZFlXBPR934/s1600/britney_spears_radiance_photo.jpg" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i><br /><br /></i></b></span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I am quite a fond (and closeted) fan of Britney Spears fragrances. I say <i>closet</i> fan, because it's not something a 20 something girl is proud to admit. When someone asks you what fragrance you're wearing and you answer 'It's Britney Spears', they just look at you strangely, as though you stole a squirt of perfume from a 12 year old. But for some reason, her fragrances always smell really pretty. They must be extremely popular, as this is the ninth perfume endorsed by the Pop Princess.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i><br /><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Radiance </i>is milder and more mature than previously sweet-smelling releases <i>Curious</i> and <i>Fantasy. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">The base notes include soft musk, cashmere woods and luminous amber. A white floral bouquet of jasmine, orange blossom, tuberose and iris make up the heart notes, while top notes include delicate dewy petals and luscious red berries.</span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Britney's perfumes are always creatively packaged, and this bottle covered in pink, white and blue crystal rhinestones does not disappoint. Try this alluring scent for something subtle, sensual and girly. It is available from <a href="http://www.redsquare.co.za/">Red Square</a> stores in 30ml Eau de Parfum for R345 and a 100ml bottle for R455.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /><br /></span></div>

The Scent of Radiance

Radiance A Fragrance by Britney Spears I am quite a fond (and closeted) fan of Britney Spears fragrances. I say closet fan, because it'...

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