So, thought I’d update you on the latest about my boudoir shoot after the umpteen beautiful comments that I got on my last blog post, as well as the umpteen tweets about the location etc.

I got a DM last night from the photog, saying that the location we were going to use, is no longer available.  So now there are only 2 options… rent a hotel room or use my bedroom.  At this point I’m going with option B, because:

• I looked at a few hotels on the interweb today, and none of their rooms jumped out at me.  They were either too OTT or too small or downright boring… apart from the villa suites at the Fairlawns hotel… holy moly that looks nice!
• The last time I did a boudoir shoot in a hotel we actually got the room for free, but I doubt I’ll get that right again, and although the room was great it wasn’t the most private of spaces, which I’m not too keen on.
•  I don’t actually have time to waste looking for a room and getting a good price.
• My bedroom needs to be redecorated anyway… Lance painted a few weeks ago and nothing matches anymore… so this is an excellent excuse.

As for my outfits, that shopping is going pretty well.  I popped into La Senza this afternoon, and bought a little hot pink body number with suspender straps very similar to the one in the image  LOL this is going to be fun

So, in a nutshell, after my little shopping spree to find the rest of my bedroom stuff, I think I’m set for this Exciting times!!

You know I’ve booked my boudoir shoot for this month’s bucket list item?  Well, I did. And I’ve already actually paid for it in full.

Today, I was determined to go hunting for one or all of my outfits that I’m going to wear during this shoot.  So after meeting up with Tiana to collect my next gadget that I’m reviewing for Girl Guides, I decide to go shopping.

First let me say, that I know what my flaws are… my tummy isn’t exactly flat, and my boobs aren’t exactly big, and my hips are not exactly small… so my plan is to get those body chemise/baby doll outfits to hide my tummy… and a bra and panty outfit with those stocking hookup jobs.

I make a beeline for Woolies first because I’d seen slinky outfits in their Sandton store before… but they didn’t have my size in the one I wanted.  So, then I go to La Senza, my favourite place… and my oath didn’t realise the price! But anyhoo, tried a gorgeous black and pink spotty number on.  While I’m in the change room I start getting antsy about the way it’s looking even though it does actually fit (a concern in the beginning because of my flat chestness).  Then decide to wander over to Temptations… and bingo… found an outfit which is half the price and they had 20% off everything in the store… this time all black and lacy… and OMG made by Playboy which Lance thinks is extremely funny… it even has little Playboy thingy dangling between the bra cups.

Anyhoo, the point of this long ramble is the following… I’m now getting cold feet.  I think I look a little silly in the outfit, and my thighs stick out and it doesn’t really hide my tummy, and I have to be careful about the bra area or else it gapes.  Ho hum… me and my body issues.

I chose the photographer I did because I don’t want to look fake.  I want the photos to look like me.  However, I’m praying that she will make me look good even though it will be just me and my make-up and I won’t look like the frumpy lumpy mommy that I am.  My logical side of my brain is telling me to stop worrying because I chose her because I know she’s that good.

Seriously though, I should really have done this after doing a few months of gym… but we all know that’s unlikely to happen.

Oh well, I never said this bucket list was going to be easy.  It’s about getting out of my comfort zone and learning about myself.

When I got home and spoke to Lance about my insecurities he told me I was being silly, and that he loves me for me anyway, and he can’t wait to see the photos.  That doesn’t make it easier though.

And then a few minutes later, we watched SYTYCD and this dance happened…

… and Bradley says “Mommy, you are amazing..  just the way you are” and Lance smiles.

Best I get over myself.

One of the items on my bucket list is having a facial and massage every month.  Now, I’m not too sure when I’d mark that one as done, because I’m actually not sure it’s big enough to warrant being on my list.  It’s there though, because pre-kids I used to go to a salon or day every single month for a facial or pedicure or massage and I do miss that me-time.

But anyway, I walked to the RMB building in Sandton last week for a meeting, and realised that there was a spa at the bottom… I didn’t even know it was there… and decided to book a facial.  It’s the Professional Touch Day Spa… and they use Sans Soucis products

And I went today for my facial lunch hour, and I’m definitely going to book more.  I had their fire extinguisher facial which is specially for sensitive skins, and OMW my face feels like a million bucks right now.  Instead of normal exfoliating beads, she used an enzyme peel… and then an aloe vera mask.

The best part though, wasn’t actually the facial, but the experience.  I haven’t been for a facial in many months, and within 5 minutes I could just feel myself relaxing.  I didn’t realise just how very stressed my whole body is.  It’s been an insane time, and not only am I hectically busy on weekends, but work is just exceedingly stressful and has been for the last 4 months… and I can’t see the end in sight.

It was actually fantastic using my lunch hour for something that rejuvenated my body properly.

It’s well worth it, so if you work in the Investec or RMB or Nedbank buildings in Sandton, do yourself a favour, and book an hour out of your diary over your lunchtime (which you’re full entitled to even though corporate culture may dictate otherwise), and walk to the Professional Touch Day Spa in 2 Merchant Place… and take a proper break from the stress (just remember to take some more makeup )

I think I’m going to book a pedicure next… or maybe a massage…

Disclaimer:  I was not enticed or asked to blog about the spa and was no remunerated in any way, shape or form.

• There’s something hugely satisfying after a long hard day, when you chop carrots really roughly with a butchers knife.  That sound does it for me.
• I’m starting to drop balls… partly because I’m so stressed about what is going on at work that I’m not thinking straight.
• This weekend is going to be manic with a kids party, a tweet-up and a barmi tomorrow, and an antiques market with a friend and then a family photoshoot on Sunday
• I need to exercise… yes… this is similar to my story last week
• I sold my first work of art yesterday!! Woot!
• I need a HUGE shopping spree… new clothes would make me feel good.
• Lance started FINALLY painting our bedroom… and now I need to organise the re-framingof an oil painting to match our new paler off-white colour scheme.
• My tickets to Cape Town are booked… I really really do want to organise a tweetup while I’m there at the end of October.  I’m going with my mom… the first weekend we’ve ever ever been away together… just the two of us.

I saw this on Laura’s blog, and decided to join in

We’ve been on holiday for 5 days… and yes, I have learnt something in the last few days…

• I completely underestimated the weather, so I’ve had to go buy a few warm pants and tops to keep myself warm.
• I’m really grateful that I cancelled the photography workshop that I was going to do in Ballito… I’ve really needed the break.
• I get a HUGE headache on the 3 rd day of every holiday we go on, and this time was no different.
• It’s so cool that the kids are older now… I can relax just a little on the beach.  No scratch that… the worries are different.  I’m no longer concerned about Connor eating the sand… now I worry that I can still see him and that he’s not too brave in the ocean.
• It’s been really hard leaving the dogs behind this time… our first holiday as dog owners.  I’m really hoping they’re ok and not howling every day.
• The Kindle is awesome.  Should have bought one ages ago… however it’s costing me a bomb considering the speed at which I read!! Buying a book a day at the moment!
• I read a Sophie Kinsella book yesterday and haven’t laughed as much in ages!
• I haven’t lost my knack with the fishing net… and I’ve caught a crab and a sand fish.

WIWT = What I Wore Today

Cat’s been doing this meme and Gina has joined in a few times too, and I’ve been dying to do it, but I just never get around to taking photos of myself so I haven’t been able to… until today when Connor took a photo (with my DSLR) of me and my mom .  So I can finally play along, although you can’t really see my whole outfit.

So this is what I wore today…

Tunic dress from last year at Big Blue.  Beads from Woolies.  Black leggings from Woolies.  Black flat suede boots from Woolies (2 years old).  Grey cardie for the morning when it was chilly from Woolies )

It’s not my particularly favourite outfit, most because I think it makes me look huge… but anyhoo, I was really comfy

Oh wow, was just doing some googling to find some main site to link to and discovered that there’s a WIWT site run by a blogger that does this daily… not sure I’d be that disciplined!

Today was the day I ticked off the first item from my Bucket List… I got a tattoo…

I’ve put up a photostory on my photo blog with all the photos, so I’m only putting up the end result here…

  So, here’s the revised plan:
1. July – Tattoo 
2. August – ?
3. September – boudoir shoot
4. October – King Swing or Bungee jump

I’m actually feeling a bit overwhelmed at everything I’ve got to do before our holiday in just over a week’s time.

1.  4 photoshoots, and possibly a 5th that’s urgent and can’t wait

2.  Deliver 3 photoshoots

3.  Deliver 3 photobooks (and the DVD’s that go with them) and design another book from one of the photoshoots I’m doing this weekend.

4.  Discovered tonight that I need to get Connor a yellow t-shirt before Thursday morning, and I’m in meetings ALL day tomorrow!! That actually sent me into my tailspin… there’s always a trigger for this breathless feeling… and today it was a t-shirt.  But seriously, WTF isn’t this piece of news on the news site that the school proudly advertises!! FFS I’m just annoyed now.

5.  I also forgot to buy Bradley a long sleeve collared shirt (that’s not a school shirt) before Thursday morning when he’s a mayor in a play.  This one I did actually know about but forgot about.

6.  Getting my tattoo on Thursday… woohoo!!

7.  Try a fit in a hair cut and colour… and a bikini wax.

8.  Find a dog sitter!! Oh crap just realised I forgot!

9.  Try sort out my job… which I’ve actually just resigned myself to the fact that it’s not going to sorted out before I go away, so I’m more relaxed about it.  Just have to go with the flow at this point no matter how annoying that is.

10.  Meet a bride.

11.  Buy the kids summer clothes for the holiday because they’ve shot up and last season’s stuff doesn’t fit at all.

12.  Go to a kids party on Saturday.

… and I’m sure there’s something I’ve forgotten…

I feel a little panicked right now… but I’m sure all will be well with the world again in the morning and I’ll regret this stressed post.