Sofa Company launch Homeware (and I love it)

November 12, 2019November 12, 2019Posted in BEAUTYTagged Cape Town, Decor, FASHION, Furniture, Homeware, Interior, Interior Design, StyleLeave a comment

Time to ‘dress up’ your home in the latest style trends

Good news for all interior lovers – Sofa Company South Africa launched a range of Danish inspired homeware across 9 categories and I was fortunate to attend the official media launch.

(Do yourself a favour and pay a visit to their showroom in Buitengracht Street. You will walk away with interior inspo for days. Rephrase: for months.)

Their new categories include:

Artwork
Basketware
Candles & Holders
Scatter Cushions
Throws
Lighting
Mirrors
Rugs
Vases
Glassware

The range is curated into stories; Quintessential, Contemporary and Refined and feature light Oak wood and natural fibres. What I love the most though is the colour selection. Think neutral tones of white and grey overlaid with pops of vibrant summer colours in blues, greens, pinks and yellows.

I work full time and also attend social events after hours while squeezing in my fitness workout, so basically I’m always in need of extra baskets around the house to put my clothing away or to ‘stylishly hide away’ my throws and blankets after Netflix & Chill evenings. Instead of putting it away in a closet, it can actually make for a beautiful focal point in a living or bedroom space. Sofa Company has the BEST basketware (starting from R399.00) in all the shapes and trendy sizes imaginable and I highly recommend taking a look.

When it comes to cushions, I believe that more is more! The scutter cushions range retails at around R399.00 and will definitely wow your guests at your next dinner party. I am also a big believer of statement rugs for adding that homey feel to any living space and Sofa Company has a wide variety to suit all style personalities.

The range is priced competitively, yes 30 something Martha that includes you too, without any compromises on the Danish levels of quality, form and function. Okay, don’t even get me started about their furniture.

Always, Anne

xoxo

*Available in-store and online.

20 things you didn’t know about me

July 11, 2017May 9, 2018Posted in FASHION, UncategorizedTagged Blogger, Boss Babe, Editorial, Fashion Blogger, Fashion Photography, Inspiration, Outfit of the day, Photography, Style, Style Blogger, Styled ShootLeave a comment

Life is short, tell your story.

Everyone knows that I’m that girl with the bangs chasing my magazine goals with a skinny cappuccino in the one hand and my pink phone in the other, but did you know that I am actually a big chess nerd who hates yoga? BOOM!

Here’s 20 things you didn’t know about me:

If I wasn’t in the magazine industry, I would have been a concert pianist playing classical masterpieces in Austria, Berlin and Paris.

I’m more obsessed with Bach than Bieber. My favourite piano piece to play to date is Bach’s Prelude & Fugue No.2 in C minor.

I was the primary school chess champion in Grade 1 – yes, I even beat the grade sevens and I’m owning that.

I haven’t worn a bikini to the beach since 2009. #workingonthat

People think my kindness is my weakness, but it’s absolutely my biggest strength.

My grandmother’s full names are Anna Elizabeth and that’s where Annette came from meaning ‘graceful.’

I ‘published’ my first story when I was five years old. It was about a sheep and a fly having a fight, but still… I even illustrated the cover and asked my mom to make photocopies at school.

I have never not had a fringe – it’s my identity. Anna Wintour has her straight-cut bob. Annette de Wet’s got the bangs!

The first time I saw my ‘now-husband’ in my life was in the doctor’s waiting room. I saw this guy wearing a blue tie and super polished shoes, looked at my mom who was with me at the time and said: “That’s the guy I’m going to marry!”

I have never smoked a cigarette in my life.

I’m obsessed with Jack Parow and I totally turn into a gangster poppie when listening to him.

I’ve ran two half marathons. And I didn’t die.

In University, I compared every guy I dated to Chuck Bass. I once dated a guy only because he looked and talked like Mister Bass. #donotjudge

I type 80 words per minute and have the certificate to prove it. #NERD

My brows are naturally black, but my hair is light brown. People think I have ombre highlights and tint my brows regularly, but that’s just the way I was born. I’m old school, – when I wake up I already have eyebrows on.

I hate yoga. I don’t do the slay nor namaslay thing. The only downward dog you’ll find me in is on the couch with coffee – milk, two sweeteners.

One of my goals are to start an anti-bullying platform. I was bullied in grade 8 by my so called “BFF” and ended up with no friends. She would leave “You are fat” sticky notes against my cupboards, turned all my friends against me and spread the worst rumours you can image…. It got to a point where I lost all my self confidence and it literally took me 3-4 years before I was my crazy confident self again. I lost out on soooooooooooo much fun in high school, because of one person.

I am not an avocado person.

I haven’t coloured or put any chemical products like a brazilian in my hair for 3 and a half years. #VirginHairDoCare

And finally, I absolutely love my life!

Always, Anne

xoxo

PHOTOGRAPHY: Rezaine Desai

OUTFIT: Shirt with slogan – Nicci Boutique | Leggings – Woolworths | Boots – Truworths

LOCATION: Arthurs Road, Sea Point

10 things I hate about Instagram Husband

May 9, 2017May 28, 2017Posted in FASHIONTagged Cape Town, COTTON ON, Couple Goals, Editorial, FASHION, Fashion Blogger, Fashion Shoot, Photography, Style, Stylist1 Comment

You had met at coffee!

Instagram hubby and I have been going strong since 2011, so obviously I’m NOT going to bake him chocolate cookies everyday. We can annoy the living day light out of each other and a lot of times he’ll just roll his eyes for the things that come out my mouth. #DOnotASK

Anyway, I hate all these corny posts about true love and those your-guy-are-hotter-than-my-guy vibes… so let me tell you what I dislike about my Insta Hubby.

1 I hate it when he tells me I don’t look fat when I honestly swear-to-the-rooftop knows I have a mufftin top! Let’s just be real right now.

2 I hate it when I want to buy a whole packet of Zoo Cookies and he’s like: ‘baby, are you suuuuure?’

FOLLOW @ANNENE_PHOTO ON INSTAGRAM

3 I hate the fact that he does not understand that my daily cappuccino fix is a need, not a luxury.

4 I hate it when he reminds me to pick up my seven outfits from the bedroom floor. We live in an one-bedroom-apartment, how am I suppose to be a Fashion Editor with NO closet space!?

5 I absolutely hate it when Instagram Husband does not want to take Instagram photos for me. You are Instagram Husband – what don’t you understand about that part?

6 I hate the fact that Instagram Husband is not a morning person. No sunrise hikes, no early road tripping to the West Coast. Nothing! Nallah!

7 I hate it when he’s more excited to greet the cat.

8 I hate the fact that Instagram Husband does not eat bacon. Who doesn’t eat bacon? WTF am I suppose to eat with my toast – anchovy and fish paste?

9 I hate it when Instagram Husband use my salon product shampoos. Unless you’re growing a man bun – do not touch my stuff!

10 But mostly, I hate the fact that everybody have this idea that Instagram hubby is this perfect little creature, but then again, he is that perfect. Well, most of the time anyway.

Oh, who am I kidding? After 6 years I am still obsessed with this guy. I get butterflies when we kiss. My heart rate jumps to 160 when he puts on his red PUMA bomber jacket and he gets the foaming part just right on my morning coffee.

Love you babe.

Always, Anne

xoxo

PHOTOGRAPHY: Annene van Eeden (follow her on Instagram or book her for your next fashion shoot!)

CLOTHING: Cotton On

MAKE UP: La’eeqa Yunus

LOCATION: Sea Point, Cape Town

12 Sex & the City quotes I love

May 5, 2017May 28, 2017Posted in FASHIONTagged Always Anne, Blogger, Carrie Bradshaw, Editorial, FASHION, Fashion Bloggers, Fashion Photography, Girl Power, Inspiration, Outfit of the day, Photography, Sex and the City, South Africa, Squad Goals, StyleLeave a comment

Closet like Carrie and Money like Big!

Like Carrie Bradshaw I live, eat and breath fashion and both of us can’t wear white without spilling…

Fortunately, like Carrie, I also found my Mr. Big and our love is (sorry for the pun) BIG!

I collaborated with 3 bloggers and we did a city themed fashion shoot captured by Roam Free Photography. This has been such an exciting shoot as I got to experience 3 powerful women showing their inner confidence and also their support for other inspiring women with goals and dreams.

ENJOY!

Always, Anne

xoxo

1 ‘Do any of you have a completely unremarkable friend or maybe a houseplant I could go to dinner with on Saturday night?’ Miranda

2 ‘I will never be the woman with the perfect hair, who can wear white and not spill on it.’ Carrie

3 ‘Don’t play hard to get with a man who’s hard to get.’ Samantha

FOLLOW ROAM FREE PHOTOGRAPHY NOW

4 ‘I couldn’t understand a word she was saying, but I felt I had in my possession all the Italian I’d ever need to know: Dolce, Dolce, Dolce.’ Carrie

5 ‘They say nothing lasts forever; dreams change, trends come and go, but friendships never go out of style.’ Carrie

6 ‘We keep dresses we’ll never wear again, but we throw away our ex-boyfriends.’ Samantha

7 ‘Could you please not use the F-word in Vera Wang?’ Charlotte

8 ‘I feel the same way about being a bridesmaid as you feel about Botox. Painful and unnecessary.’ Samantha

9 ‘I like my money where I can see it – hanging in my closet.’ Carrie

10 ‘Abso-f*cking-lutely.’ Mr Big

11 ‘Maybe all men are a drug. Sometimes they bring you down and sometimes, like now, they get you so high.’ Carrie

12 ‘I’m looking for love. Real love. Ridiculous, inconvenient, consuming, can’t-live-without-each-other love.’ Carrie

PHOTOS: Roam Free Photography

LOCATION: Cape Town, CBD

MY DRESS: ZARA

MODELS/ BLOGGERS:

Crisna Coetzee
Hanli van der Spuy
Roelien Havenga

Are you ready for the CottonOn Body roadshow?

April 26, 2017April 26, 2017Posted in EVENTSTagged CottonOn Body, Fashinista, FASHION, Fashionblogger, Fitness, Fitspo, Johannesburg, StyleLeave a comment

Jozi, I am suffering from major FOMO right now, because you guys are in for a fitness treat!

Cotton On BODY is bringing the latest FITSPO craze to women around the globe, with the BODY x Fitness Marshall road show to celebrate their 10th birthday this May!

Hailing from Philadelphia, USA, the Fitness Marshall (aka Caleb Marshall) has gained global attention and his hip-hop workouts, choreographed to the hottest songs, have received 120 million YouTube views. #GOALS

“I see women who are self conscious or uncomfortable, but by the end of the class they’ve let everything go and have the time of their lives!”

From May 18 – 31, the BODY x Fitness Marshall collaboration will travel the world, delivering free public shows in South Africa, Australia, New Zealand and Singapore.

WHEN & WHERE

The local show will be held on 30 May at Nelson Mandela Square from 07:30 with the cardio dance party kicking off at 08:00.

“Moving your body to music is such a freeing experience, there’s really nothing like it. It make you feel like a superhero!”

You can register to attend the cardio dance party in their city at cottononbody.com from Monday 8 May – Sunday 28 May.

BE INSTAFAMOUS

In another Fitness Marshall first, BODY will offer one lucky, would-be dancer, will get the chance to star in an official Fitness Marshall video simply by visiting Body’s Facebook page and uploading an audition clip from Monday April 26.

Use the hashtag #JoinTheMarshallMovement and get further information at cottononbody.com

Always, Anne

xoxo

How to have flawless skin this winter

March 29, 2017April 11, 2017Posted in BEAUTYTagged Beauty Blogger, Blogger, Cape Town, Eucerin, FASHION, Photography, Style, SunsetLeave a comment

Because acne is real!

So most people know by now that I’ve been through hell and back the last couple of months. The results = REALLY BAD SKIN.

I used to be that girl who can rock up at work without wearing a drop of foundation, but life happens and when the going gets tough even the tough gets pimples.

Why? Stress releases cortisol, which can really mess with your hormones in your body resulting in breakouts on your face.

Tina from Symbiotic Communications (in true fairy godmother style) sent me the Eucerin DermoPURIFYER Range (and without sounding like a cheap TV ad), the results are really effective – I haven’t been wearing foundation the last 3 days, because my skin looks clean, clear and carefree.

Eucerin DermoPURIFYER is a range of effective dermo cosmetic solutions for ‘not perfect’ skin focusing on the the following factors of problem skin*

hyperkeratosis (disrupted skin cell shedding)
seborrhea (increased sebum production)
microbial colonisation (increased bacteria proliferation)
inflammation of the skin

I’ve been using the following products for the last 6 weeks now:

Eucerin DermoPURIFYER Cleanser (R229.99) is a soap-free and fragrance-free formula for gentle, yet effective, cleaning. So, my husband and I literally had fights over this product. Luckily the product is also available in a 400ml Value Pack – because sharing is caring, people! It contains 6% Ampho-tensides meaning it removes all excess make up.

I use the Eucerin DermoPURIFYER Scrub (R139.99 for 100ml) two times a week. It’s a gentle oil-free formula and won’t dry out the skin at all.

Gosh, I love a good toner! I apply Eucerin DermoPURIFYER Toner (R139.99 for 200ml) daily as part of my skincare routine. Its anti-bacterial formula contains 2% Lactic Acid active system which gently unclogs pores without overdrying.

Eucerin DermoPURIFYER Active Concentrate (R189.99 for 30ml) is a very light, fast-absorbing emulsion and assists with overall better looking skin. It leaves you with a healthy glow which I absolutely love.

Bedtime beauty! Eucerin DermoPURIFYER Active Night Care (R189.99 for 50ml) is a highly effective oil-free formula also containing Lactic Acid.

AlwaysAnneJulyLook3 (12 of 22)

OVERALL

SKIN TYPE: Super sensitive

DURATION: 6 weeks

RESULTS: 9/10

REASON: Overall my skin looks more healthy and I did not get any breakouts again since using the products. Instagram Husband also switched over to the Eucerin DermoPURIFYER Range and his face showed instant improvement.

Visit eucerin.co.za for more information.

Cheers to a happy skin this winter season!

Always, Anne

xoxo

AlwaysAnneJulyLook3 (6 of 22)

PHOTOS: Michelle Lategan Photography

LOCATION: Cape Town, CBD

*Retrieved information on eucerin.co.za

Twinning on trend

March 27, 2017March 28, 2017Posted in FASHIONTagged Blogger, Cape Town, FASHION, Fashion Blogger, Photography, Style, Styled ShootsLeave a comment

Because you can’t out-twin your twin!

She’s Audrey Hepburn and I’m Coco Chanel. She laughs like Serena van der Woodsen and I’ll give you a resting-bitch-face like Blair Waldorf.

Together we’re fierce yet feminine, completely crazy although we know exactly what we want and when we want it.

(Two skinny cappuccinos, please!)

She’s the foodie although I can’t say no to a slice of caramel cheesecake and dusty pink macarons. I’m the fashionista although she’s always dressed to perfection wearing her Tiffany bracelet.

What I love the most about our friendship is the fact that we can just be us when we’re together. We chase the same over-the-top life goals a lot of people are too afraid to do. We love our personal space and aren’t afraid to admit it. We hate birthdays and we’ll never answer the phone if it’s not work related.

We can quote Walt Disney movies, rap like we’re part of Jenny from the Block’s squad and when we have a laugh-attack (yes, it’s a thing!) there’s nothing you can do about it… or maybe to pretend you don’t know us.

What I love the most about our friendship is the fact that we are so much alike – it’s almost freaky. We’ll say the same things at the same time or laugh at the same inside-joke without telling each other.

We go through the same life situations at the same times and when she’s sad, I’m normally sad too… eating a chocolate slab… on my own… with Smarties.

I’m only three weeks older, but strangely enough I was born three weeks too early. Go figure!

We decided to a twinning styled shoot in collaboration with POETRY. We chose these beautiful pink floral print garments which really represent our personalities.

Hope you like it as much as we did taking the photos.

Always, Anne

(Follow my bestie on Instagram HERE)

xoxo

PHOTOGRAPHY: Danni C Photography

MODELS: Roelien Havenga & Annette de Wet

CLOTHING: POETRY

LOCATION: Cape Town, South Africa