The highlights of 2013

2013 is over and here is 2014 already.  Time moves so fast when you're having fun!  I just wanted to take this moment to reflect over the past year.  My blog continues to grow and I can only thank you for that.  You make my day everyday.  Thank you for sharing this incredible journey with me.

In this past year, I've had the most wonderful experience of working with LEGiT fashion (if you missed it, you can take a look over here).  I've been able to learn the scientific methods behind skin care with Dermalogica (here).  I've had the opportunity of experiencing a number of my favourite food, wine and design events such as Decorex, Taste of Joburg to name only two.  I've attended the most wonderful store openings.  I was honoured to have been asked to write articles for online magazines.  I have also appeared in Grazia, People and LEGiT magazines this year much to my surprise!

Collaborating is a word that I'd use to describe 2013 as I've been doing just that with bloggers from South Africa and across the pond.  I love to see the blogging world work together so you can be sure to see more collaborations coming in 2014.  Meeting local bloggers has also been a highlight of my year.  There are so many of you out there and each one of you fascinate me.  I feel so lucky to walk alongside you.

I tend to take blogging day by day, never expecting anything but the self-satisfaction that I have something I love to do in my free time.  That being said, I have so often been so surprised when a super exciting email lands in my inbox or a fantastic delievery arrives at my door.  I'm so often gobsmacked but these little pleasures have really added highlights to my year.  The biggest blogging surprise I've had at all this year, however, came in the form of Irina Doman, a blogger I have the privilege of calling my friend.  It's funny how this little blog has created such a great friendship.  You can visit Irina's blog here.

This past year I received my first DSLR camera as a graduation present from my dad.  I have been having such fun learning the ropes in photography.  Hand-in-hand I have also been learning Photoshop which helped me redesign my blog which was quite exciting!  I also expended the blog to Facebook, Twitter (@arumlilea) and Instagram (@arumlilea) which has been loads of fun.  I like to share snippets of my life on each but also unique from each other just to keep things interesting.

In 2013 I was able to study further, something I'm really passionate about.  This year I dedicated my studies to a Master's degree in Public International law, a field very close to my heart.  I was wonderful to have been able to learn more and dedicate time to this and for that reason 2013 was a big year for me.

I was also able to travel quite a bit.  I ventured off to areas of South Africa that I had never been before which has made me so grateful to live in a country with so much beauty to offer.  I travelled to the United States once again to see the likes of cities I have never been to before (here, here and here).  I also experienced Halloween for the first time.  I hope to visit there again soon.  I was also lucky enough to be able to travel to Tanzania with my sister which was the most incredible experience that I could have shared with no one better (here and here). I can only hope more travelling is in store for me in 2014!

2014 will see me begin my career as an attorney which is quite monumental.  All my years of studying will finally be put to some use.  Arum Lilea will continue in what I hope will be from strength to strength.  There will  definitely be more outfits to post and stories to tell.

Thank you so much for all your support, every moment spent reading my blog and every comment you make.  I am so lucky to have you all.  Thank you also to my family and friend who have added such a great about of value to this blog (and for constantly listening to me ramble on about it).  Much Love!!!

Fall outfit {Bordeaux}

Zara blazer | Mr Price vest | LEGiT pants | Mr Price booties | Sass Diva necklace | Forever New bracelets | Forever New bag | Michael Kors watch | LEGiT sunnies

Today's post comes to you from the airport.  I'm about to leave for America and I'm so excited.  Soon I'll be carving pumpkins for Halloween, visiting the Bay area in San Francisco, sipping wine in Napa Valley and lunching in  Los Angeles.  I'll be in transit for 30 hours but I'd say it's well worth it.

Do you have any trips planned?  I thought I'd share what I'm packing in my hand luggage so stop by tomorrow for some packing tips!

La post d'aujourd'hui viens à  vous à partir l'aeroport.  Je vais voyager en Amerique pour vacance.  Bientôt je serai découper de citrouilles, visiter le Bay Area à San Francisco, boire du vin à Napa Valley et déjeunais à Los Angeles.  Je me rendrai pour 30 heures mais il vaut le peine.

Demain je vais partager des conseils sur les bagages à main d'emballage.

xxx 

Green Sweater Weather

Cotton On sweater | LEGiT pants, flats and sunnies | Michael Kors watch | Sass Diva bracelet | Blackcherry bag

We had a massive storm here on Saturday and I loved every second.  I'd just bought this sweater from Cotton On so I threw it on with these leather pants for a pop of colour.  

This week I leave for California.  I'll be gone for three weeks but I've scheduled posts for while I'm away. I'll be writing up travel posts as soon as I'm back but in the meantime, keep an eye out on Instagram (@ArumLilea) and Facebook for updates on where I am and what I'm doing. 

Happy Monday!

Je viens de acheter ce chandail de Cotton On et je l’ai mis pour une touche de couleur.

Ce semaine, je vais aller à California pour vacance. Je serai parti pendant trois semaines. J’ai ecrit les postes pendant que je suis loin. Je vais ecrivé les postes vogager quand je reviens. En attendant vous pouvez lire Instagram et Facebook pour mise à jour.

Avez une bonne journée!

DJ Zinhle x LEGiT

 Anja, Talya, Raya, DJ Zinhle, myself and Brett.

As promised, here is a closer look at some of last week’s shenanigans.  Yesterday I mentioned that as part of the new LEGiT launch, a bunch of bloggers including myself were invited to join DJ Zinhle, the new brand ambassador, in her studios where we were given a crash course in learning how to mix.  We very quickly realised that it is a LOT harder than it looks.  My career as a DJ lasted a little more than 30 seconds.  I’ll be sticking to law thank you very much.

On Thursday, the LEGiT team took us shopping!  I picked up a couple pieces that I’m super excited to share with you in upcoming outfit posts.  After shopping to our hearts content, we headed back to the hotel to prepare for the evening.  The launch was scheduled for that evening with a fashion show showcasing the latest range.  The bloggers arrived early for the event to see what was happening behind the scenes.  We went backstage to witness the hair and make-up preparations and a quick rehearsal before having drinks on the balcony overlooking Nelson Mandela Bridge.

The fashion show was fabulous.  There was such a fantastic vibe.  South African celebs and personalities filled the room and I was thrilled at the fact that the bloggers were seated in the front row.  The party continued into the evening and everyone had such a great time.  Thank you again to LEGiT for having me as a part of such a wonderful event!

Xxx

Minty Chic

Legit shirt | Robot skirt | Aldo heels | Forever New bag | Sass Diva bracelets and earrings | Michael Kors watch

If you follow me on Instagram and Twitter, you will already know that last week was a very busy week for me.  About a month ago I received the exciting news that LEGiT wanted me to form part of their blogger team for their summer launch.  Obviously I was thrilled.  I may have even had a little sing and dance. 

The bloggers stayed on 54 on Bath in Rosebank (such a beautiful hotel for anyone planning a stay in Johannesbug – highly recommended!).  We had the pleasure of learning to DJ with DJ Zinhle at her studios, being taken to shop our hearts out at the LEGiT store and sit in the front row of the Spring/Summer launch fashion show.  Thank you LEGiT for such an incredible experience!  I’ll be posting more of my experience throughout this week.

Blogging is really a weird and wonderful phenomenon.  Lately it seems to have opened so many doors that I could never have imagined.  I have met the most incredible people in the last week alone and it’s all due to this blog.  I’d like you to know that I’m incredibly grateful for all the support I’ve had and encouragement to continue to grow Arum Lilea.  I value my readers so dearly, you are so important to me.  I hope that I can keep producing posts that you look forward to reading every time you visit.  If there’s anything at all you’d like to see more of here, please don’t hesitate to ask.  I love hearing from you and if I do, you’ll be hearing from me too.

Xxx

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