weekend birthday celebrations + lots of pretty things ☺

well, i am officially the big 2-8 today! ☺

yesterday i got reminded that 10 years ago i was having my 18th...first this was a bit of a grim thought, but then i started to think about all the things that have happened to me over the past 10 years...i have a lot to be grateful for ☺

this past weekend i had an amazing time with friends celebrating my birthday - going to all my favourite places doing all my favourite things ☺

i am a keen fan of anything pretty and crafty. something i love about Cape Town is the diversity of design here, something i haven't seen anywhere else i've been.  i was so proud when Cape Town was awarded with the World Design Capital 2014! ☺

we started off my birthday celebrations on friday afternoon, with myself and a few friends going to Kamers Vol Geskenke (which means "Room Full of Gifts" in Africaans) at Lourensford Wine Estate.  i love when Kamersvol comes round every year, as for me it has to be the most creative market i have been to.  every year is so different and i often come back wishing i could have bought everything! this year Kamersvol are running a competition with the wedding photographer Christine Meintjes.  while i was there i snapped a few pics :) if you happened to be there this past week and also have a few pics of Kamersvol you can also enter the competition on their facebook page here.

then one of my favourite places to mooch around on a saturday morning is the Old Biscuit Mill in Woodstock, Cape Town.  happening every saturday morning, this market is one not to miss!  this birthday i decided it would be lovely to go there with some friends and hang out.  my camera was also with me, so i managed to get some photos....

check out Heartworks for some African crafts - heartworks.kloof@gmail.com

next time i go to the market i want to get one of these! adore theses pendants from Skermunkil Design Studio ...got my beedy eye on the bird with the heart ♥

pendants from Skermunkil Design Studio

if you are looking for uber trendy and local made bags...then visit my friend, Caleb, at the Old Biscuit Mill where he sells his Chapel Bags, alternatively you can check out his website here. from lap top bags, satchels, rucksacks and pencil cases...all beautifully made...i ♥ these bags 

the final part of the weekend birthday celebrations, nick surprised me :) we 'bumped' into some friends while taking a stroll along the beach...which all seemed a bit too accidental to me and then i found out a guesthouse called the BlueBottle had been booked in Muizenberg and we were all going to stay there the night :) 


The Blue Bottle is my kinda dream house.  Snuck away on the Muizenberg mountain, with a stunning view of the False Bay, wooden floors and big lofty rooms :) the owners, Andrew & Taryn, seem to love collectable items as much as i do too, as the house is full of them. i loved the old fashioned radio they have. 

some of the collectables at The Bluebottle Guesthouse

as we walked through Kalk Bay in the evening to go the The Annex for dinner...i had a big smile on my face...was truly an awesome birthday weekend :)

a community of photographers: introducing Kiki

over the past couple of years photography has become a passion for me, and i am constantly searching the web (thank goodness for the internet, don't know what i would do without it!) and books for more information and knowledge, so i am able to learn more to grow in this art form.  up until now i have mainly done this by myself, trying to find my own way, and believe me i still have a LOT more to learn!  as many photographers out there might know this industry can be a bit of a lonely one....usually we are all trying to improve, learn, grow and get out there on our own steam. recently i've had a few people ask me where is the best place to go if you want to learn more, so i thought i would blog about this to share with you all.  


if you haven't heard of it before, i would like to introduce to you: Kiki :)

the fact that this industry is lonely one, motivated wedding photographer Christine Meintjes in starting a place where photographers could connect, share tips, ask questions and get answers.  Christine and her husband Iaan started the Kiki facebook page and Kiki Photo twitter page and a few months ago launched the Kiki website.  Kiki has a lot to offer photographers, whether you are up and coming or established, and it is only just the beginning. from here on out it can only grow bigger! :)  


you should sign up to Kiki if:

• you have a thousand questions that you want to ask other photographers and never seem to be able to find the answer (you'd be surprised how many people have the same question, or have gone through a similar situation and can help)
• tips to improve your photography and find out about courses to attend or websites to go to
• want critique for your work
• technical information about equipment
• gain some business information for running your photography business (have usually found the business side is the last thing photographers think of!)
• find out about workshops in your area
• meet other photographers face to face from your area 

Kiki has a lot to offer:

• Blog – where tips, free downloads, interviews, reviews, competitions and news updates are given 
• Tools – this is where tools are given to make the life of the photographer that much easier. if you are starting out your own photography business and not sure what contracts to use, Kiki has provided contract templates to get you going on your way, also found here are some great Lightroom presets that Christine has made 
• Meet Ups: one of the ways I ended up hearing about Kiki was through facebook about a photographer meet up in my area that was coming up.  The internet is great, where you get to see other photograper’s work profiles and maybe chat to them over the web, but there really is nothing like actually meeting in person.  And who knows, maybe it will be more then just photography you talk about, but make some friends too :)
• Workshops: pretty much explains itself…but if you are looking for a workshop in your area…..or have a workshop to advertise, this is the space to do so! 
• Outreach: why not use all this useful information and tips you are gaining to give back to others.  Kiki has provided a place where an outreach is available to go back to serve the community (currently only available in cape town, south africa....but watch this space for growth)

One of my favourite things about Kiki is a recent update: Christine and Iann have now started Kiki TV which shows every Tuesday and Thursday night at 18h00 (South African time).  I would seriously recommend you pop in to have a look, there is also an opportunity to connect with others while the show is airing and ask questions through a facebook forum where answers will be given live, as they are broadcasting.


so there you have it, if you have a passion for photography and have got this far reading this post, then i think you should go and have a look at Kiki right about.......now! :)


Also if you would like to join Kiki on facebook at the moment there are different groups in different areas: in South Africa: Western Cape, Gauteng, PE (incl Durban); Europe; Namibia; Middle East; USA; Singapore and United Kingdom.  All you have to do is go here and sign up to a group in your area! :)


if you have any questions or comments, please make so below :)