Changes

Cape Town is busy experiencing what I think is the most incredible time of year - Autumn. I haven't been posting a lot of late, simply because I've had no time, and haven't really felt inspired to write about anything in particular. Then, I went for a walk in a forest yesterday, and was truly awe-struck by all the trees, and how they are changing with the season. I picked up as many from the floor as I possibly could - pine needles, leaves and a couple pieces of bark. I currently sit at my desk writing next to a big book filled with newly pressed leaves.



I read something the other day, that went something along the lines of; Autumn is the time of year that we are reminded that change can be beautiful. I think that really sums up what Autumn is, and it also brings up the whole idea of us as human beings and our difficulty to go out of our comfort zone and to change. I've gone through a lot of change recently - the biggest one being that my sister and I don't go to the same school anymore. It sounds stupid, but I really did find it hard at first - not having her in the car on the way to school sometimes, and also no longer being able to make each others' days by bumping into each other and exchanging a few words. I found it really difficult at first, and felt a bit like I was doing this alone now. But, three months down the line, I'm starting to adjust and don't feel the same at all.

The change has, surprisingly, been very good. We're still just as close, and we have so many new and exciting things to talk about. I guess my point is that, change always seems really hard at first, and pointless, but it actually often pans out a lot differently than you think and this is often for the better. I'm not saying that there's no change for the worst - that happens too, but both kinds are inevitable, fortunately and unfortunately, and we just have to embrace the results and apply it positively to ourselves. For me, Autumn has always been a time where new opportunities seem possible, and everything seems fresh and new. It seems like the perfect time to change as people in sync with the changing of the colour of leaves.


I don't usually get very deep when I write, but it's been on my mind a lot, and this is a place that I know is always open to my thoughts. I hope you are all having a lovely week - it's good to be back writing, and if you're also experiencing change, I hope this helps a little, and brightens your day a bit, and helps you to accept change and make it beautiful.

Simona xx

Summer Smoothie Recipe

Hi all. Recently, I have been on the search for the perfect snack for any time of the day. A smoothie was the obviously the answer! This recipe is refreshing, healthy, simple, and the fruits are seasonal and are delicious. This recipe serves one.

-Ingredients-
Handful of raspberries
Handful of strawberies, halfed or quartered
Six to eight blocks of ice
Five tbsp low-fat greek yoghurt
A few medium-sized mint leaves
A squeeze of honey
One banana, roughly sliced
Splash of milk, if needed to thin the smoothie
Chia seeds to put on top

1. Cut up all of your fruit as instructed
2. Put the yoghurt, ice, fruit, mint and honey into the blender (please be careful!)
3. Blend until the mixture is a pink colour, and evenly blended.
4. If too thick, add a splash of milk to the smoothie.
5. Pour into a glass. Sprinkle chia seeds and place mint on top.

I hope you all enjoy this recipe... It's really easy and fun to do and the perfect smoothie as the days get warmer and warmer.

Simona x

Appreciating Heritage

Four days ago, aka Thursday the 24th, South Africans celebrated culture and diversity on Heritage Day. For me, it wasn't just Heritage Day which allowed me to celebrate  my ancestry. Starting Tuesday evening, it was Yom Kippur, and Jews across the nation, and indeed the world, were fasting, reflecting and repenting. One could say that my week has been quite culturally rich and philosophical.

Thursday was spent hiking up one of Cape Town's most well-known mountains, Lions Head, and having a true birds eye view of the Cape. It was incredible to see the CBD pan out into the sea and the mountains.It was a bit foggy, but every once in a while the cloud-cover would break and the weather was beautiful. Definitely worth all the effort to hike to the top, to see the beautiful city.

On Friday, after a long and particularly 'okay' day at school, my smile was instantly back when I went to Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, which is by far one of my favourite places in South Africa, if not the world. Kirstenbosch is a massive piece of land covered in the Western Province's indigenous plants and 'fynbos', and is absolutely magical. When I was little, it was a frequently visited place, with family and friends. We used to catch tadpoles at the river, and roll down the hills for hours. We also used to run around the 'enchanted' trees and flowers, sure of fairies or pixies popping up at any minute, and sharing our picnic with us. Kirstenbosch brings back so many memories of fun times and freedom, and even today, it is still a frequent hang out with my friends to picnic and bask in the sun, all while being surrounded by the Cape's flora and fauna.

All of these events and adventures got me thinking of how important it is to celebrate one's heritage. I live in the most beautiful country, and the same can be said about the people who I encounter on a daily basis. In Cape Town, I am constantly amazed of how multicultural Capetonians are. With the Rugby World Cup currently taking place, I realised how incredible it is that we can all unite and join forces to support our nation. I couldn't help but smile when I saw a flood of green and gold shirts, all in support of our Springboks at our local shopping centre.

South Africa is such a unique place. We have oceans, mountains, food, culture, black people, white people, people who are mixed-race or of Malay heritage, Islam, Christianity, Judaism, cities, and nature. We have everything. We have diversity. Something that we should truly celebrate. The same can be said for every single country around the world. Cherish differences and accept them. This week has truly made me realise more than ever, how I am proudly South African. I am also a proud member of the human race. We should all be. Celebrate diversity and appreciate your heritage. It's one of the most important things that makes you, you.

Out and About

Life has been quite busy at the moment (when is it not?!), so it's always nice to take some time to do little things that you love. Here a few of these things that have made me smile this month.

These little guys are called Murphy and Peach. I bought them for just R40 at a little coffee shop in Kalk Bay. I love succulents - they are really low-maintanence and are beautiful - and look so great on your window sill!

There is a really cute place called Bob's Bagels. They make great bagels,  pastries and coffee. It's the perfect places to chill and eat brekkies. It's also only a five minute walk from the beach and is right opposite a park. Oh, and it is on the foot of a mountain. Quite picturesque really.

I cannot stress enough how much I LOVE Le Creuset. Cups, plates, pots, and even spatulas. Everything. I love them all. You can imagine my excitement when I got the luxury of drinking from a Le Creuset cup and saucer, whilst enjoying an almond croissant at a cafe.

Simona x

An Autumn Outfit Idea: 90's Grunge

Shoes - Dr Martens

Jeans - ZARA

Grey shirt - Gap

Flannel shirt - The Cloak and Dagger

Hello everyone! This is just a quick idea for what you can wear this autumn. I really like this outfit - I love the 90's grunge look! I hope this will give you some ideas and creativity so that you can make your own outfits this season. On a side note, I have finally made an Instagram account for my blog! Please check it out and follow for daily updates and random pictures. It's @acupofteablog_ . Go have a look! It's been really fun taking pictures and updating. Also, I would love for you guys to give me some suggestions for other themes and/or styles for other outfit ideas - I really enjoyed putting this together - so feel free to email me with ideas for new themes and styles.

Hope you have all have a fantastic week and will update soon.

Simona x

Franschhoek

Recently my family went on holiday for four days to the beautiful village of Franschhoek, just an hour's drive from Cape Town. It was such fun, and we had a great time! We've been staying at the same cottage for over eight years now, and go annually around January. The view from our cottage is incredible, with mountains and vineyards. On one day we went to the neighbourhood market in the centre of town. It was so sweet and quirky, and we got to interact with a a lot of interesting people. There are a lot of small stalls that sell very different and often creative things, like jams and schwarmas, antique books and hand-made pillow cases.

1. Delicious smoothies packed with summer fruits like mango, peaches, nectarines, passion fruit and quite a few others that have slipped my mind.

2. Organic home-grown heirloom tomatoes and fruit cordials.

3. The view from our cottage: not too shabby.

4. Some friendly horses we met whilst on a walk around the farm we were staying at.

Simona xx