I attended the very very cool Short&Sweet short films opening on Tuesday evening, So let me set the scene a little:
 Its a cold night in CT, you turn down Orphan Street in town and in all its very cool glory stands The Dream Factory. A very apt and cool location for this event. Its spacious with a bar and DJ rocking some sweet tunes. Couches and big bean bags cover the floor and people mingle and chat while munching on popcorn and butlers pizza, in the prefect setting for a perfect event! Everyone settles in and gets comfy, many holding the very tasty Highland Park single malt scotch whiskey that works in association with the event. Definetly a winner to keep warm. The event is big, yet intimate, the organiser Julia stands up and gives a passionate speech (which is so refreshing to see people who truly love what they do and put heart and soul into projects like this one) about the event and its origin, that started in London in 2006 and has run weekly since showing short films, animations and music video's. showcasing Some old and new films, established directors and exciting new talent from around the world, this team has it covered and want you to be able to view it!

I appreciated the events intimacy and also the information on both the great concept which has reached London, Toronto and now Cape Town and soon to Launch in Australia. Its clear everyone involved is passionate and full of life and energy. What Julia says is true, they want to take you on a journey every week, you will feel happiness, joy, sorrow, laughter and tears! I can safely say every Movie that showed touched me in some way and I found the whole thing very inspiring especially since local work was shown as well. I think Michael Beattie, Julia Stephenson and Devin herd have done a great job at really organising and making the event special and if you missed it, not to worry its on for another 5 weeks! By the look of the events page its filling up fast on Facebook, so don't miss out! Its the best place to be on a rainy cold night and seriously the best people to be around!

 Tickets cost you R20 and food and drink are on offer (seriously good food and seriously good drink might I add) Doors open at 18h00 and first screening starts at19h30. Screening 2hrs including a break. Get there early to ensure seating and they also encourage you to bring your own seating, chairs, bean bags, blankets and duvets! Heaters are also set up! Dont forget yummy whiskey on offer.
The event has a facebook page Short&Sweet and follow the website http://shortandsweet.tv/  for more information about this very cool event! screenings run for 5 weeks in winter:
1st Screening 28 June
2nd screening 05 July
3rd screening 12 July
4th screening 19 July
5th screening 26 July

La Dolce Vita. Movie, Italia, Waterfall kiss, just too beautiful.

Somethings that I have had for ages that I never get bored of and are usually hanging around in my handbag:
Nail polish from essence
i Pod from my dad
Bunny purse from my mom
Lomography Camera from the biscuit Mill (disposable but you can reuse it!)
Necklace from brand Taryn and Romy
Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour cream baby sample from a mag
Soy Light from a health shop

I love pretty necklaces and found this one at Mr Price, its feminine, hard and quirky all at the same. Fun with a simple plain outfit.

It is winter time in Cape Town but today was one of those magic beach days. Hot and warm with beautiful conditions. The calm before the storm.
Ring: Accessorize
Bracelet and ankle bracelet: African Store
Bikini: Billabong
Beach: Clifton Second
The view: Priceless

Ah the gym. Once my favourite place! pre injury. Since developing a back injury in my mid second year at a performance arts college as a dance major things have not exactly gone to plane. Once finding out about the injury which took a good 10 months I proceed to not have the correct treatments and after numerous test and scans and two and a half years down the line (of course some of this time was spent continuing dancing, when I should not have) I am now well into several months of back rehab. This of course is the good news. The bad news, my body hasn't seen hardcore cardio in almost two years. Along with the back injury comes several other problems, like referred foot and  leg pain along with neural problems. Joyful. So no more pounding the treadmill or doing any kind of exercise including walking and running. Its painful emotionally and physically hard! For sometime now it has been a case of injury denial. I am working on it slowly. So part of my rehab is to do certain specific exercises for my back. The kind you see old people floundering at while lolling on the gym mats (actually the old people put me to shame)

So I get to go to gym and watch the beautifully tone, fit, glowing (not sweating) women work out with ease and grace in their awesome gym gear that's new and expensive looking with various panels and other cool features along with the ability to shrink thighs and lift chests. While I struggle away for ten minutes on the granny bikes, huffing, puffing, sweating and hurting, in old shabby looking dance pants and ripped t-shirts. I try to drown them out with preppy sounds on my i pod of Britney spears and ignore the visions of my pre injury body looking healthy and fit as apposed to flabby and dying on the equipment before a cool down session. To top it, I then do my rehab exercises on the mat, in the dreaded mat area. For all to see, while I fumble my way through 'special' exercises that will help my back not feel like its locked and stuck. I whimper as I attempt my stretches and realise how much flexibility I have lost. (also that I am never going to get a six pack stomach from these exercises) I pine with envy over women twice my age in better shape. I mean really I am not asking for Giselle's body (I would not mind) But to live a pain free life and walk up lions head or go for an early morning jog on the beach front, thats not asking much fitness gods. Of course its a daily struggle and while I know it could be worse I just miss feeling strong and fit. Patience is not my strongest point. try as I may I am not the best at it, although I am working at it and getting there I do have those days of gym envy where I so long to be killing myself on the stepper of wafting away effortlessly on the treadmill. In the mean time I will carry on working hard (to be 'fixed') and to get better. I am grateful for what I have got, but nothing wrong with reaching for more sometimes, we can all dream :) In the mean time I will take my moms advice:
If you wear red lipstick, no one will look at your thighs ;)

 So I hardly write much on my blog other than lists. I really should write more because I am always thinking of things I want to say. Lists seem to condense those things. This week has been interesting. If you live in Cape Town you will be experiencing mother nature at her coldest! Never have I felt this cold before. The other morning I stood in my lounge which overlooks Rocklands and looked out at the crazy ocean been whipped up by the wind, the chilly breeze and the icy splash coming from the rough water. It was beautiful, surreal and a gorgeous winter day. ( Please note, I am not a winter girl, give me summer, sun, beach all the time)

 But then I looked down and right next to this gorgeous ocean view, with my mug of hot coffee in my hand, I noticed a group of homeless men huddled along the wall of a small building across from the beach. It was freezing and they clearly had no where to go with little warm clothing. Here I was admiring my view from my lovely warm, safe home, while there are people on the street freezing. Of course we cant go through life comparing ourselves to other peoples situations, but it did make stop and realise that I have a lot to be grateful for. We all have rough times, tough times, bad patches and moments but at the end of the day your not standing out in the cold alone. People will argue its choice, there are shelters and places to go etc etc. Irrelevant in my mind, maybe I am a softy, or its in my nature but I do sympathise, so while I was grumbling about the rain and my car been in for service and all that small mundane stuff I had to turn away from my beautiful sea side view and take a moment to thank the universe for all the good I do have!

Peak at my winter essentials: My good old trusty  Notebook, Lip and all round most useful cream ever! including dry hands and elbows! Not to forget these gorgeous hand/arm warmers!

• It is impossible to find jeans that fit me in length. Please denim Gods stop punishing me
• I need to invest in a washing machine
• Have developed strange love for doughnuts 
• My patience levels are running thin ( I am trying)
• This too shall pass, its all a chapter... right?
• I am always going to miss the friends I have lost over petty rubbish. Life really is too short
• I was not blessed with the gene of learning the art of women who reveal a little about themselves. I seem to out it all on the table.
• I have learnt to break SOME minor OCD habits, like checking my door 8 times
• I am a questioner
• I am not going to apologise for being me
• I am so proud of Cindy Armstrong
• I need to tap into my cooking skills a bit more
• Second Hand stores are truly amazing
• Pics I have taken of late are so precious to me
• I have no idea what I am doing, where I am going and I guess, for now. Thats ok. :)
• I have met some truly awesome, kind caring people lately.
• I miss my family alot. 
• I am a lucky lucky lady