A cosy niche for a new journey

I'll admit, I am not the world's most prolific blogger and when talking to a friend who has mastered the fine art, she said you have a fantastic opportunity to blog about the new venture you have just started. It's true I have gone and finally done it and started my own business. A small, party of one (for now) public relations consultancy that hopefully has the knack...well at least that's what I'm calling it anyway.

So after several years of toying with the idea, I went ahead and just did it! I must admit, the idea was casual at first, but then I had to pick a name, and then register a business (which is a minefield in itself, and not all that cheap I must tell you), then of course the all important branding exercise (more money, but the fun part) which the fabulous team at lumino did such a beautiful job of, and then before I knew it, there I was - bonafide small business owner taking on the world one corporate client at a time.

OK - so it's only the second month, but so far the world has not ended, we're not out on the street and I think I can actually do this thing. A few things I have learnt along the way.

1. No matter what type of corporate job you hold, it is important to put yourself out there, make connections, and maintain them. It is amazing how easy it is to get stuck in a rut and shut out all the exciting things people are doing and creating.
2. Always be gracious in life as you never know what comes around and who you may need to give you a helping hand along the way. Be willing to give and karma will repay you.
3. Lastly and most importantly, stick to your instincts and back yourself 100% - if you don't, who will?

I will leave you with a quote that I got out of a $2 Woolies cracker about two Christmases ago, which I have kept and now framed to remind me of the importance of really living the life you want to live...oh and of course the catalyst for this blog post - the new Knack Public Relations HQ - a cozy little corner of  our home which I love to go to work.

"No one has ever looked back sadly on a life full of experiences, but many look back wishing they had had the courage to do more."

Tennis anyone?

Today was a great day.

After many years, I think I count 13+ or so, my sister and I headed courtside for a hit of tennis. It was fabulous! After both growing up living and breathing the game, and benefiting immensely from the extensive travel and friendships made with people across the world, it was so lovely to get back into the swing (pun intended) of things.

I'll admit, we were a bit rusty to say the least, but it was the memories of all those fabulous times we spent together (and from time to time against each other - sibling rivalry was alive and well back in those days) for the shared love of the game.

Our roots in the great sport span from an early age when we used to watch out mother coach on our home court. I remember vividly desperately wanting my turn at a lesson.

We travelled the width and breadth of Africa to play competitively as juniors and have cemented life long friendships through tennis. It was wonderful exposure to all sorts of different cultures and places. I feel sad sometimes to think about how the old gang who used to train in squads and compete during school holiday tournaments are now spread far and wide.

But as I learned today, memories are always there and while the muscle memory has faded, and the speed at which we used to recover is somewhat reduced, we will always be able to recount them clearly through a friendly game of tennis.

We've decided to make it a weekly event - that is if we recover OK from round one.

Till next time...game, set and match!

Christmas twinkles and bells that jingle

Our tree is finally up and what fun it is each year to trim it with things that sparkle and tokens of intricate beaded detail.

A favourite and new addition to the collection is my ceramic paper boat press TWINKLE star. You can find these here.

Sunny days and salty breezes

We went camping at Double Island Point the other week. We were hosted by some fabulous friends who do camping true Taj Mahal style. It was so good to get out of town for a weekend where the only care in the world was what we would eat next... and boy did we eat! Here are a few snaps of the glorious trip.

Taxi!

This is a great photo - the ingenuity of it all. Love it. If you look at it carefully, you can see how crafty he has been in getting his wheels going!

Velvet ears

For years and years I have wanted a puppy. Finally,  my gorgeous partner James, promised me a puppy for my Big 30. The big day came and went and we were still no closer to the elusive pup. We had garden fences and gates to install and of course the all important task of "the picking of the puppy that was just right for us".

Then, a couple of months later, the weekend came where we drove out to have a look at a puppy that was still "available".  This under strict instructions that if we did not like the puppy, and vice versa, we would possibly have to leave without it. Yeah right!

We are now the proud parents of a three month old Weimerana named Wentworth.

As he lies peacefully under my feet (a rare occasion), I can't help but look down at him and marvel at his gorgeous velvet ears. Although there have, and will continue to be, many trials and tribulations that go with raising a pup, I look forward to always being able to cuddle those beautiful velvet ears.

What's in a name?

The inspiration for my blog comes from one of my fondest childhood memories. Growing up in Harare, Zimbabwe, in what at the time seemed like the centre of the universe, and now is just a large scar on Africa's political landscape, my little sister and the kids from next door, now scattered around the world, used to wander down the road to a shopping centre called Ballantyne Park.

Along we would traipse on our 20 minute stroll, under the hawk eye supervision of our beloved nanny, Anna, (much to our mother's insistence and our disappointment), to buy whatever treats we could with our savings for the week. Savings were made up of mostly coins - lots of coins - which now I can't remember the exact amounts, but we used to score big.

Sugar mice, licorice, freddo frogs and milky bars, biltong (a dried meat delicacy), fudge and the list goes on...

Anyway, the point being our childhood strolls to Ballantyne Park, which later became jogs to a familiar landmark, are to me such a wonderful memory. What if we could have kept all those memories in film, photography, diaries, or even more clearly in our minds? How many magical plans did we make for ourselves during those walks in the hot African sun? What if we had remembered just a few of them?

Ballantyne Park is still there and I believe still has the best Biltong in town.

Maybe one day I will get back there and retrace our "walk to the shops". It would be great to do it with the old gang - highly unlikely but you never know, and one can always dream.

In the meantime, I will mark all those "memories in time" here, so I never forget the everyday life that passes by so quickly and fades in our minds too soon.

What are your favorite memories in time?