Little Miss Organised

I was at a farewell party this evening chatting to someone I went to school with. And they were talking about their plans for the future and how they wanted to start their own company etc etc etc. And it got me thinking…

Although I am a positive person, I have been known to think of all the things that could go wrong. And since I’m not a risk taker, my head has thought up a whole lot of reasons why I shouldn’t do this or shouldn’t do that. But at the same time, my head has already provided valid reasons/answers to my queries or concerns…

I have realised that I have a natural affinity to being organised. And I have been thinking that this could be something that people need or are looking for. Perhaps a helpful hand in getting your office in order, or getting your cupboard decluttered? BUT…

I know I couldn’t just up and quit my job and then start my own business. It would have to be a more gradual change, say working over the weekends or after hours on my “project”, and keeping the dayjob during the week until I have enough clients etc to be able to afford to go on my own. Would that work? Or would I end up getting bogged down and not have time for myself? And then I wonder whether there is a need for someone (me) to come in and organise your life. Would it be needed? Would you pay for a service like that? And how much would you pay?

I know it will take more than a blog post to come to a decision, but I’m hoping that I’ll get some feedback… So bring it!

Hugs & Kisses
Jessica Giggles

*Picture credit

A night at the drive-in

I went to the drive-in with a school friend of mine last night and it was awesome! I haven’t been to the drive-in in FOREVER so I was so excited to go when Jordan smsed me about it. It was supposed to have been a whole bunch of us school pals going but in the end it was just Jordi and I. And I was fine with that.

She organised the chairs and flasks of tea. And I organised the blankets and nibbles (biltong and fresh biscuits). We got the chance to chat and catch up and relax. And it was awesome!

We sat outside for the first movie which was wonderful. Until the wind picked up. Luckily the weather was on our side though as just as the first movie was finishing, it began to rain. So we hotfooted it into the car to get warmed up and snuggled in for the second movie.

The first movie was Rio and it was too cute. If you haven’t seen it, you should! In a brief synopsis, it’s about a male Blue Macaw (“Blue”) who has been reared in captivity, and who is the last male of his species. He is taken to Brazil to mate with a female Blue Macaw (“Jewel”) who is the last female. They are left alone together overnight in a huge aviary but then they get snatched! And the movie is basically about their adventure in getting back to safety and having to deal with Blue’s incapability of flying.

The second movie was Hall Pass. It too was a movie I enjoyed and is basically about two husbands that get a week off from their marriage. I won’t go into too much detail here as I don’t want to spoil the movie for anyone but it’s a great movie for comedy and romance lovers alike!

And now a cute pic of Jordi and I!

After going last night, I’ve been thinking that it would be an awesome idea for a tweetup! We all meet someplace, pile into a few cars (to save money, ya know!), bring blankets and chairs and drinks and nibbles and enjoy a relaxed night out. Only problem will be in deciding when to go because there isn’t a guide to say what movies are going to be on when… What do you think? Good idea? Or bad?

Hugs & Kisses
Jessica Giggles

Jo & Nic’s wedding

Last Thursday afternoon I attended a very good friend’s wedding at Usambara. It was a truly special day because not only was it my friend’s wedding day, it was also her birthday! But for me it was quite a bitter sweet event as I was so happy for her but at the same time I was teary because I was supposed to be walking down the aisle in a month’s time… But enough of the sadness…let’s get to some piccies! (Warning: there will be quite a few piccies!!)

This is me (obviously) with a few other gals from varsity.

This was the flower arrangement on every second pew. I was a bit disappointed when I realised that the flowers were actually fake. Though I suppose they don’t look fake.

Didn’t my friend Jo look absolutely amazing?! Her husband (still sounds weird to say that) was still getting rid of his nerves after the ceremony.

The couple decided to cut their wedding cake directly after the ceremony and it was served before we went into the reception venue. It was later brought out with dessert too. This is quite a nice idea and seems to be the “in thing” at the moment.

And what would an event be without catching me eating! At least I look good!

My dear friend Lauren decided that Ashleigh and I needed some comic relief and the next few piccies are what ensued… (Thankfully quite a few of them were not put up on Facebook!)

And lastly a few piccies of my friends, and one with me and the bride!

It was a magical evening! And I am so glad I got to witness the marriage of this happy couple.

Hugs & Kisses
Jessica Giggles

*Thanks to Lauren for all the wonderful pics!

Cleaner heaven

As we all know, I am an OCD-aholic. I have trouble watching people wrap a gift when I know I can wrap it better. Everything needs to be just so at work and at home. So you may all die a sudden death when I tell you that I am allowing my new cleaner to use my washing machine!

Is your jaw scraped up off the floor? Are you back in a stable seated position?

You see I love my new cleaner! I really do! I organised her to work at my office once-to-twice a week to help keep things neat and tidy. And once I realised what a gem she is, and that I was in desperate need of her help at home, I immediately organised for her to come to my house once a week.

And she’s amazing! On her first day here she cleaned out the fridge! Not just throw out the things that needed to be tossed, but she also wiped down all the shelves and cleaned out all the baskets. She also wiped down all the kitchen cupboards ensuring there were no oily marks left. All without being asked to! She also ironed and mopped and swept, and then she phoned me to say that she was all done and would it be okay for her to leave. This is quite unusual for me considering most of the cleaners I have had have left at their “chosen” time whether their job was finished or not. I was floored and so I decided that she must be worthy of using my washing machine.

Yes, I am a little mad. But there’s a little bit of madness in everyone, so what’s yours?!

Hugs & Kisses
Jessica Giggles

Dear Bride & Co

I phoned you a few weeks back to find out your return/refund policy and I was advised that unfortunately you do not do refunds but that I could exchange my purchase for something else. I traveled through to your Sunninghill store on Sunday to return my purchase and went in search of a suitable replacement (a new pair of shoes). I discovered that the new pair I had chosen were well below the amount I had paid for my purchase and was then told that I needed to make up the outstanding value by purchasing jewellery or something. I tried to take my time in selecting some jewellery but unfortunately your shop assistant was standing on top of me hurrying me along with many “what about this” remarks that I was forced to make a quick decision. Nevertheless I managed to find two sets of pretty earrings which I took to your front desk along with my shoes to finalise everything.

It turned out that I still had R55.00 available. But in all my searching through your jewellery cupboard, I found nothing that was under R90.00, and I was not about to put in extra money to pay for something that I actually didn’t really want or need but was forced to have. In the end I asked the clerk if she couldn’t just give me a credit note for the outstanding amount due to me that I could use towards something in the future. A resounding NO was the answer. So after crappy customer service and them looking at me with “can we just hurry things along please” looks, I told them to keep their R55.00. She then asked over and over again “am I sure”. Well I kinda have to be, don’t I?!

After all of that, I returned home and found out that one of the pairs of earrings I bought is short of a butterfly. Yes I should have checked my “purchases” to make sure I was happy. But surely you should only have items on display that are perfect?

The main reason for this post is this… I understand that you won’t give refunds as many brides/bridesmaids/etc purchase something and then have buyer’s remorse and want to return it, or they find something better and want to return their purchase. My question is this, surely you can make an exception to this rule? Surely if the purchase is below X amount you can refund the client in cash? Or at the very least give them a credit note for that amount? I can tell you right now that most people aren’t organised, so should they get a credit note from you, they will more than likely put it in a “safe place” to use at a later stage and then forget all about it…

Think about it…

Jessica Giggles

10 things I learnt this week

1. Just when you think you know what’s what, everything changes again.
2. May to August will not be classified as “our quiet time” at work this year.
3. I must be taking the wrong kind of multi-vits as I haven’t noticed a change.
4. I absolutely love my new cleaner! I even let her use the washing machine.
5. The week goes by so quickly that just as I start to get into the swing of things, it’s Friday.
6. It’s okay not to be okay all the time.
7. And trying to keep a smile on my face and pretend I’m okay doesn’t work for ever.
8. As much as I love my family keeping in touch and checking up on me, I kinda hope they’ll slow down soon.
9. I can only do so much in one day.
10. I need to stock up on magazines and crossword puzzles for those nights when nothing else will do.

*Picture credit

Insomnia

I have never been known to have insomnia or not sleep well at night, but recently things are different…

It takes forever to fall asleep. And I wake up at odd times. And I toss and I turn. And I wake up to each and every noise and think the worst. And then when morning comes I am completely exhausted.

I know my mind is in overdrive and thinking a gajillion thoughts. And I know that my sleep is interrupted because of the weird dreams/nightmares I’ve been having. I just need to find a way to calm myself. Calm my thoughts. Calm my dreams. Anyone know of a solution?

Hugs & Kisses
Jessica Giggles

*Picture credit

10 things I learnt this weekend

1. Remembering how productive I can be when I put my mind to it.
2. Spring cleaning is very good for the soul but not good for my hayfever.
3. I love the Aloe cleaning gloves I bought!
4. An extra two pairs of hands made sorting out #CupboardCottage a whole lot easier.
5. Chocolate cake is best enjoyed when eaten straight from the plate with a fork.
6. Cleaning a shower is easier to do when you’re showering.
7. The doglets get nervous when there’s a hive of activity and things getting moved around.
8. Housework uses muscles I forgot I had.
9. Throwing out shoes I haven’t worn in ages was something I never thought I could do. Luckily they weren’t #SexyShoes.
10. Nothing’s better than a lazy night on the couch after such a hectic day.

*Picture credit

Dear Life

You threw one helluva curve ball my way! You know that right?! There I was blissfully unawares of what you had planned for me… And now my life is completely upside down…

I am taking things day by day. And I’m trying to book up my weekday evenings so that going home isn’t so hard. Luckily the next few weekends are quite busy so that saves me from planning those. But unfortunately they will all be reminders of that dreaded ball that bowled me over.

I believe that everything happens for a reason. So I believe that there must be more to this situation than just testing my emotions and strength. I just wish I knew what it was as it’d probably help a TON.

I’m sure you know that some moments are better than others. Some moments I’m strong and I feel like I can take on anything. Other moments I am an emotional wreck that can burst into tears at the drop of a hat. I know it’s good to let my emotions out because it’ll help me to get through this. I just wish I knew how long it would take…

Thank you for showing me how strong I can be. Thank you for showing me how much love and support I have in my family and friends.

Life, you sure as hell are not how I pictured you would be a few months ago. But we live and we learn and we can only hope that we’ve made the right decisions… Now please let me know when you will settle down and return to some form of normality?!

Jessica Giggles

Anna’s Panna Cotta

I had this dessert at Giles Restaurant in Craighall Park last night with a bunch of friends.

It is listed as “Anna’s Panna Cotta” on their dessert menu and is priced at *R35.00 per portion. It is a creamy and sweet custard-like dessert and is served with a drizzling of strawberry coulis.

My Thoughts
For someone with a very sweet tooth, this dessert was perfect for me! It was very sweet, almost to the taste of condensed milk, but creamy enough that the sweetness wasn’t overpowering. The portion size was also reasonable – not too small leaving you wanting more, and not too big that you end up not eating it all. The dessert wasn’t drizzled with the strawberry coulis though, it was spotted on the side of the plate for decoration. The dessert was scrumptious on it’s own, and with a bit of the coulis, even more tasty.

Rating: 8 out of 10

Try it and let me know what you think!

Hugs & Kisses
Jessica Giggles

*The price is correct at the time of publishing