I've been having so much fun editing all of my Instagram photos with VSCO that I thought, instead of always lugging a camera around, why not edit some event pics with that app and share the snaps on my blog? I'm all about enjoying what I do these days so getting creative and having fun is the name of the game. 

On Thursday 23 March, I put on my favourite leather jacket and headed to the launch of the re-designed Diesel store at the V&A Waterfront. I've always been a fan of Diesel because their jeans, leather jackets and shoes are my vibe. I felt like I was with my people when I overheard someone say "It's an...interesting crowd." Hell yes it was! Gareth Doye was finishing up some tattoos on his clients in one corner while Edge For Men had set up a one-chair barber shop in the other - and between all of  the guests' different bright hair colours on display, every shade of the rainbow was accounted for. Whiskey, wine and a well-frequented photobooth made for a killer evening and chatting with media friends is always a pleasure.

Hey! So I sort of disappeared for a while. Last year, I did freelance writing for a few clients but I left my blog alone for a bit because I needed to re-group and spend some quality time with my loved ones. It was interesting seeing blogger, Essena O'Neill have her epiphanies in the midst of my decision to go dark because, while I think she went overboard and had some problems seperating her identity from who she was online, I did understand that she was in pain and that her life had stopped making sense to her. Mine had stopped making sense to me too.

I would never demonize social media or blogging as some sort of dishonest, soul-crushing thing because everything in life is what you choose to make it. I was disillusioned with my entire life between 2014 and 2015, and while it had little to do with the internet, I wasn't going to use the internet to pretend that things were awesome, so I decided to hit the proverbial reset button. 

How do you hit the reset button on your life? You subtract everything that you possibly can. I stopped working. I stopped playing. I stopped going to events. I stopped socialising. I became an agoraphobe for a hot second. I ignored the internet. My intense unhappiness meant that the stakes were too high to give a shit over whose email I was missing or whose party I wasn't going to, and you know what? That was a beautiful and liberating thing.

I don't think it's just one aspect of modern life that is making everyone more stressed and anxious these days. I think it's a combination of them because there are pros and cons to almost everything. Even if you throw your phone in the ocean, delete everything and relinquish wi-fi, shit still happens. When I was in a place that felt too hectic, I found a lot of peace in shutting everything down, both online and in real life.

I stopped talking (and writing) about changing my life and actually started taking steps to change it. It took a long time and I'm excited to write about that whole journey but the conclusion of it was that once my life looked less like a mess and more like a fresh template, I began to add in only the things that my heart wanted. Now I'm at a point where I feel so much better. I'm excited about my life again and I know what I need to focus on in order to stay excited about it.

If something stops being fun, stop doing it. If a relationship doesn't make you happy anymore, bow out of it. If you hate your job, find another one. If someone's social media feed makes you feel shitty, unfollow. If the latest trending topic upsets you, stop reading about it. I know that some things are easier to do than others but the more time that you invest where you shouldn't, the worse you will feel. Don't worry about disappointing others when you should first be worried about whether you're disappointing yourself. Don't fight against your heart, be kind to it when it tells you what it wants. You can always take a break from something instead of denouncing it altogether because that can help steer you in the right direction too. Change isn't instant but it is so rewarding.

I've madeover my blog with a new theme and I'm going to post about whatever I want. I've always had trouble writing an 'About' section and I think I know why, I needed to figure myself out more. I'm not the same girl who started this blog and I'm ecstatic about that. I know it sounds silly but writing that section made me feel so me and I think that taking time off not only helped me get to know myself, it helped me start writing in a way that feels effortless again. Evolving is fun as hell so I'm excited to see what happens. Here's to a new era!

I had the chance to check out Forever New's High Society collection that's in stores at the moment. An amazing electric violinist played while models walked out in gorgeous mini and maxi dresses with a fluffy poodle adding a dash of cute - certainly the dog a Forever New girl would bedeck in a sparkly collar, don't ya think? High Society is a spring collection in sorbet colours and floral prints. Think tea parties or a day at the races. Crochet, silks, broderie anglais and 50s and 60s silhouettes were accessorized with statement necklaces and embellished clutches. 

Forever New offers strappy heels, charming purses and delicate rings to complete their classic feminine looks. I like to mix rock 'n roll and girly so I love teaming sweet dresses from here with spikes and boots. Speaking of accessories, British brand, Orelia jewellery will launch exclusively at selected Forever New stores from Mid-November 2013 providing gorgeous costume jewellery made with Swarovski crystals, semi-precious stones and beautiful charms. 

High Society will be available in all Forever New stores and select Edgars stores from October 2013 while the Orelia @ Forever New collection will be available at Forever New stores in Eastgate Mall, Fourways Mall, Gateway Shopping Centre, I’ Langa Mall, Menlyn Mall, Pavilion Shopping Centre, Sandton City, V&A Waterfront and Woodlands Mall from mid-November 2013.

I think I might have to get my Queen's Plate dress from here...

Magnum recently launched two new flavours and threw a lavish event at Shimmy Beach Club complete with manicures, cocktails, a cook off, an infinite supply of ice cream and my perennial favorite feature at these fancy things, an instant photobooth. We all had to wear pink or black so it's a pity that I only dyed my hair fuschia again this week...ah, fashion girl problems. I don't know about you but as far as I'm concerned, there are never enough ice cream flavours so Magnum Pink (Pomegranate) and Black (Espresso) are welcome additions to the world of frozen lactose goodness. The way I see it, a coffee flavoured ice cream is the fastest way to get over a break up, a couple of those and you'll be bouncing off the walls instead of crying in your pajamas.

There was a cook off held between culinary schools which were each joined by a celebrity and this saw radio personality Gareth Cliff trying to get the ice cream into a mixing bowl by banging it on the side but pretty soon he gave up and just ate it. Sounds like every day in my kitchen. I always say, why add chocolate chips to my cupcake batter when I can just eat them? In fact, why even bake the cupcakes when I can just eat the batter? Exactly. I'm delighted to find out that Kamini won Masterchef as I've been living under a rock. I remember chatting with her a few months ago and she told me that they had to keep the results a secret so if you're looking for a secret keeper, look no further as those are some skills. All the celebrities in attendance made me feel like I was in a reality show of some sort where I might have to compete with former Miss South Africas to eat as much ice cream as possible. Listen Cindy Nel, we all know who's going to win this one.

But seriously it was a fantastic event where we got to preview how South Africa's first twitter auction will work. The actual auction will take place on the 23rd of November so follow Magnum on Twitter or Facebook for more info on how to take part. Thanks to PR Company Marcus Brewster for an awesome event and cute box of goodies. I'll be right back, all this talk about Magnums is about to send me to the fridge.

Triumph has given itself a complete makeover with their brand new Spring/Summer 2012 collection. I love Triumph, it's one of the few underwear brands that actually fits me. Sometimes when I'm shopping, it seems like bras are made for naturally perfect or surgically-sculpted Cs which would be awesome, if I had them! Luckily I get to be an A+ Firecracker with Triumph's Maximizer and for my larger cup size sisters, become a Bombshell – delight in swirling embroidery, cute bows and fancy straps – part of a collection of flattering lingerie styles designed to make customers feel confidently sexy.
So, who are you, a Firecracker, Live Wire, Bombshell or High Flier?  Check out www.triumph.com/za for more information.