Hi again. 

To those of you who read this ol' thing, worry not- I'm not going through another one of my phases, I'd merely been writing exams but I'm back.  

La Dolce Far Niente [the delight in doing nothing] - Italian

In previous years my December holidays have been spent in cities, engulfed by the busy city life and without exception I would end my holidays feeling like I needed another. 
This December holiday I have been in Plettenberg bay; my day consisting of waking up, making breakfast, tanning for hours (whilst listening to music- list below) and then in the evening sitting around and chatting with friends. I can already feel like I'm properly holiday-ing and time feels like its actually at the pace I want it to be at rather than a rushed race. 
The importance in relaxing.

I will be writing another few posts during the course of the next two weeks.
In the meanwhile, to make it up to you I'd like to give you a list of music that'll change your holidays fo' sho. 

1. Black skinhead - Kanye West remixed by Flying Lotus
2. Collared Greens - Kendrick Lamar 
3. Pockets of Tuna - (Action Bronson)
4. Every Evening - 2AM Club
5. Lucifer - XOV
6. Eyes Like Sky - Frank Ocean
7. Here Comes the Sun- YUNA (beginning is quite slow but stick it out it gets aahmazing) 
8. Safe and Sound - Capital Cities
9. Electric Feel - MGMT
10. Make it Home - Hoodie Allen (feat Kina Granis)

X Zo

When is it that you should force yourself to put your emotions to the side?
When is it that you have to realise that no matter how hard you try with someone, there will always be something you aren't doing right in their eyes?

For me personally, I am on a constant roller-coaster with the description above in the form of a person. 
Unfortunately, when I begin to care for someone, I hardly ever stop caring from them (a bitter-sweet curse). But luckily I have found a way over the years, of being able to put a halt to myself  getting hurt by them... yet this is only possible when I force myself to from that point onwards not to look in their direction or if I do, be nothing more than civil toward them and take away all the care I had before. (E.g- when they walk past me and I have the feeling they are talking badly about me, I am able to not even let the thought go in my mind, nevertheless upset me.) 

But, (since we're talking about actually having care for the person), what happens when they start being nice again? do you jump straight back to the opportunity because its something you want so badly or do you keep your wall up and protect yourself for the long-run. 

For me personally, I always choose the first one and from feeling in control I end up feeling vulnerable because yes, they are nice one second and I'm so happy blah blah blah but then the next, they gossip and yet again, make me feel small, hated and most annoyingly- misunderstood <-- which by the way is in my opinion the worst thing to be because its one thing to be called a bitch and know deep down that you do have the tendency to speak before you think etc but its another to be called something or thought of as something that you know you're not. And the worst thing is what can you do? because usually when people have a set opinion of you it is virtually impossible to alter it to show them who you really are and how you really feel, which (for lack of a better word) SUCKS.

In my opinion, in cases such as these it is better to build that wall up and not let it down until you're 100000% sure they actually do care about you rather than break it down and build it break it down and build it up etc etc all the time. 
- Sorry for the rant and bad writing but this is something I feel strongly about and want to express.

X Zo 

With this post, comes the recommendation (if you're someone who likes eating healthy, light food) to go to a restaurant at the very end of Bree Street (right next to Orphanage) called 'Sababa'. 

Its a kitchen deli which serves buffet-style healthy food including a variety of daily salads (my two favourite today were a strawberry salad with goat cheese and a cucumber salad with sesame seeds...) as well as mains such as roast lamb, grilled salmon, vegetable rice etc etc. Not to mention their INCREDIBLY desirable dessert table that they cleverly place right next to the door so that you can't help but notice a total of three times: when you walk in, when you wait for your food and when you leave... resulting in you obviously having to try something. It's run by an Israeli woman and its relaxed atmosphere serves for a perfect afternoon bite.

You get served inside by one of their waitresses/waitors as they dish you (your choice is between 4 salads or 3 salads, one main) and then you take your recyclable plate of deliciousness and go and sit either inside on the marble counters, outside (if hot) on the beautiful wooden tables and stools on at the back in their hidden seating area surrounded by beautiful flowers. 

I went there today for lunch and it was the best lunch and dessert I've had in a long time. I ate four of the most amazing salads followed by their homemade, natural greek-yogurt frozen-yogurt topped with toasted coconut seeds. (P.S- sorry for the crappy photos)

The best lunch date x

My elegancy in a photo

The frozen yogurt!

Mine and my boyfriend's lunch 

The mini chocolate croissants- I literally have no words for these works of art

Me, at Sababa 

The oh so natural apple-tart I couldn't help taking a photo of

The BEAUTIFUL dessert table I was telling you about X Zo

Do you know what is happening in my private life at the moment?

Just by looking at me, you wouldn't know if one of my relatives has just passed, my parents were on their last dime or going through a divorce, or if I was having a hard time with a significant person in my life. Nor could you necessarily tell if I was battling an addiction or eating disorder or had just been diagnosed with a fatal condition.

Most of us usually keep these problems private for as long as they can contain it (apart from a very close friend/family member) and so no one knows that we are struggling.

So, picture this: I've been struggling with one of the above in my life over the past weeks. I've kept to myself and flashed my coverup smile but as soon as I step back into my private realm, the issue keeps occurring, driving me to the edge of my considerable tolerance at the slightest provocation which reloads all the issues in a flash. In this frame of mind, when someone flippantly addresses or dismisses the issue, or worse still, comments or gossips about it without being constructive, this is fuel to the fire. What if that comment right there, that superfluous comment… was the casual nudge that drove someone over the edge and brought about a reaction for which you are partly responsible? Yes, responsible. Because as social beings in intimate circles like family, school, circle of friends or work, or even on a larger scale as citizens of this country, what we say and do causes ripples in the lives of everyone with whom we interact. I'm not going esoteric on you with the notion that we are one, but while the whole may be greater than the sum of its parts, we still figure in the sum. 

It's also easier not to worry about whether nasty comments will get back to people by simply not putting them out there. My mom gave me a hard time about gossip since I was six and she overheard me talking with a friend about a third person, but it's only as I matured that I understood she was trying to protect me and not the person I was talking about. And I definitely buy into the fact that what you say about others says a lot about you. Purely silly gossip may just indicate that you are 1) bored 2) immature 3) insecure 4) bitchy 5) have nothing interesting to say. But when you emit opinions and judgements that seem to make a claim to your insight, intelligence or knowledge of the situation, think carefully. Check out this link on the subject: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/08/100802165441.htm

And finally, when speaking about a friend to another friend in confidence, ask yourself if you'd be happy for the absent subject of the conversation to overhear the conversation. There's a saying by a philosopher called Pascal: “Few friendships would survive if each one knew what his friend says of him behind his back”

I guess what I'm getting at is that you don’t' always know what's going on behind your peers'/enemies' closed doors. So unless the comment is constructive and comes with good intent, or the person deserves a fair and criticism because of something horrible they did, remember that unfair comments, lies, undue criticisms almost always grow long legs and walk right back to haunt you.

X Zo

I write this whilst listening to a song by the artist I'm about to dedicate this post to: my fingers are dancing on the keyboard, I have a permanent smile on my face and my hips are shaking under my sheets. 

Whilst at RTD, two friends of mine started playing a song by a beyond incredible German artist- 'Milky Chance'. 
He hasn't really hit SA yet but has recently become quite the hit all across Europe with his alternative tunes that have an easy-going and happy rhythm, putting you in an immediate good mood. His lyrics are amazing with the base being his powerful guitar-playing topped off with other complimentary instruments while STILL managing to create clean, simple tracks. 

I've just finished downloading all his songs from his album 'Sadnecessary' and they have been repeat ever since. I recommend starting your definitely soon-to-be obsession with listening to 'Stolen Dance' and 'Down By the River'- my two current favourites. 

Please go listen and spread this phenomenal artist's talent.

https://soundcloud.com/filou-music/milky-chance-stolen-dance

Is Sharing Really Caring?

I'm sure you know what I did this past weekend.

Why?

Because I told you.

And this goes both ways- I know everything about what's been happening in your life: I know that you had a fight with someone important because of the sad quote you posted on Twitter, I know that your mom made you spaghetti for dinner last night because you posted a photo on Instagram and that it was #yummy, I also know that your friend wants to make plans with you because she misses you and that you're going to do something this weekend at the Waterfront... lastly I know that for 9 minutes and 52 seconds, you've been at Mugg n' Bean in Claremont drinking your absolute favourite- a cappuccino. 

For my generation, this lack of privacy is 'normal'. Our identity was forged in the most broadly public society in recorded history and it thrives on consuming vast amounts of private information about other people, as well as sharing our own. Things almost don't feel real any more until they are virtual…beautiful moments, views, holidays. I do believe however that we should take a moment and a step back to think about how much we really are disclosing and whether or not we are really okay with it. 

I certainly don't blame the sites themselves... I mean, apart from their smart and persuasive 'Join Now' advertisements, they don't coerce us; we choose to sign up and we certainly choose what we share with our 'friends'. 

If I compare these choices to those of our parents- in almost every case it's different. Why? Because this obsession with sharing our every move is is a relatively new phenomenon. They are used to cultivating a slight bit of mystery in their lives and don't understand why we don't feel weird sharing what we're doing, what we're going to be doing, who we're with, what we're eating, where we are, what we're feeling, what we're thinking etc etc etc. It would make them feel exposed and vulnerable. Not that they weren't interested in these facts about other people but they picked it off the grapevine. Does this mean we have less gossip because we preempt it by putting the information out there? Is everything we say we do, are all the photos we post a true reflection of reality? Do you ever look at a post and think 'who the hell cares what you had for dinner'? And all the love, the compliments, the likes and kisses…are they real?  

I don't exactly know my opinion about the above topic but I do think that a little bit of occasional privacy/mystery would serve me (and others) well… and next time I'm in the sharing mood, I'll try and remember to leave something to the imagination.

X Zo

I hope everybody who went to RTD 2013 had a great time!

I arrived home today looking like a tomatoe with Rudolph for a boyfriend but nevertheless I had a wonderful weekend; it was so nice to go and escape reality and everything that lies in store for me work wise even if for a mere three days. 

I had a very different experience than I did last year as last year I lived for the nights and this year I seemed to really enjoy the days relaxing, talking and listening to music in the sun.I went up with a tight-knit group of friends and loved the quality time spent with them. 

As for the music- I unfortunately didn't get to go to as many acts as I wanted to but I LOVED the music and general vibe at the electro tent late at night as well as the general vibe there as well as the bands constantly performing at the main stage but I must say (despite hearing many bad reports) Alt-J blew my mind; I loved the chilled manner in which they performed and how as a result the crowd were so relaxed as a body. 

All in all I loved every second and am counting down till next year. 

Here are a few captures which may help explain why I'm still smiling remembering my weekend:

Good luck to all starting their weeks tomorrow. 

X Zo 

Just Another Rant Of Mine

The worlds population as it stands is 7.023 billion: this includes a population consisting of all different kinds of people; different races, different religions, different physicalities, different abilities, different views, different personality traits, different wants, different likes and dislikes and all in all a different way of conducting their lives. 

For years, societies have been created and with those societies have come "norms" and morals- And these, irritate me more than you can imagine... not the little ones like eating breakfast in the morning rather than evening but rather personal ones such as having a baby AFTER you're married rather than before, moving out only when you turn a certain age, going to academic school rather than any other institution aimed at a specific subject etc etc. 

Things where the other option isn't even considered by individuals because either they don't want to stray from the crowd and be judged or possibly they do actually believe it's right- BUT have they even considered the other options? No. Hardly ever and this is why I get irritated. There are so many people... DIFFERENT people who are all on a different path and therefore all require different things and ways of living their lives. 

Some people aren't meant to go to academic school as they would thrive when placed in a school specifically aimed at cultivating their unique talent. 

Some people want to have a baby and then get married because that choice suits their lives better and will end up making them happier and more stable.

Some couples are right for one another from the start and should in fact live with each other as soon as possible as they influence each other in a positive way- in fact better than when alone. 

When done, these actions and life choices are all looked down upon and most of the time forbidden solely because they are strays from normality that are PERCEIVED to be of negative effect. 

It confuses me, it really does. The individual himself/herself needs to be considered with far more importance and thereafter a choice for a life path can be made- one that benefits the person themselves rather than the societies conscience of what is "right". 

X Zo

Rocking the Daisies!

So round about this time last
year, I was waiting in anticipation as to what Rocking the Daisies 2012 would hold for me...
and if I told you they didn't disappoint- that would be the understatement of the century! Being with your friends drinking and listening to the most INCREDIBLE music at all times of the day (I mean, have you seen this years line-up?!). It was a three days to remember and I've been waiting for it ever since. 

SO: 5 DAYS TILL DAISIES!

For all you virgin-Daisiers I'm going to write a top 10 list of things to bring/know to/about RTD as well as show you what clothing items are on the top of my packing list for this Thursday! 

My Top 10 List of Things to Bring/Know to/about RTD:

• 1. An extremely comfortable sleeping set (Don't let the summer weather fool you-it gets absolutely FREEZING at night!)including: a blow-up mattress, (I know its a bit of a mission to bring it up but last year I took the lazy route and just brought a sleeping bag and it just wasn't comfortable! trust me, when you're dying for sleep at 4 in the morning the last thing you want to do is hit the ground)a comfortable pillow (or maybe two!) and lastly a WARM blanket (and sleeping bag if you have the space and want the extra heat). 
• 2. A nice and sustainable water bottle- because if you're planning on drinking all throughout the afternoon, evening and night its a great way to be able to fill yourself up and be on the run to go and dance and what not!
• 3. For all girls that don't know: theres something there called the 'Daisy Den' designed especially for women (who aren't trying to rough it out for the weekend!)- the lines are always horribly long but if you get there early enough in the morning or not at a peak time during the afternoon you'll be able to use the facilities... which include: nice showers and sinks and a full room filled with tables with mirrors and even some hair appliances like straighteners etc AS WELL AS plugs so bring your phone chargers if you're planning on using your phone.
• 4. I didn't use one last year and nothing went missing but I do recommend that you bring a lock for your tent if you plan  on keeping important belongings inside of it! 
• 5. Bring some $$$ because if you didn't know already there are some delicious food stalls like Hudsons, Debonairs, Kneed  etc and although its nice to cook your own food etc- trust me  on the second last or last night you'll be tired and in the need for some good food not to mention how much better an egg-roll can make a hangover feel! not to mention the trader market stalls that have some really cool stuff to look at if not buy.
• 6. Bring a swimming costume and sunglasses to hang out at the Beach Bar during the hot days! I didn't swim last year but many people did am I'm definitely takin' a dip this year! PLUS- its very nice to wear under clothing when its boiling hot.
• 7. Earplugs! (obviously depending on whether or not you're a deep sleeper or don't mind the noise) BUT, if you do let me tell you the party at Daisies never stops and definitely not for the good of your sleep so it may come in handy that you bring a pair of earplugs for when taking a power-nap! 
• 8. A cooler-box! for all the food and drinks you bring- its handy to keep outside your tent and of course to keep things cool and fresh! 
• 9. You or someone in your group of friends, if you are camping with people should bring (a very important one) a table and chair set! you underestimate how useful and great this is to bring but last year, its where my friends and I spent our entire afternoon during the day and we were constantly in need of more chairs! 
• 10. Lastly... this isn't really a thing to bring but it is something very necessary: if you have an I-Phone etc you should download the 'RTD App'- I downloaded it yesterday and its very useful including things such as the map, the lineup, a schedule you can make and plan for yourself and all other news regarding the festival. 

So now that you've got my ten tips heres a look into whats definitely going into my bag! 

During the day, its very hot at RTD so I'm going to take: a pair or two of shorts, some short-sleeved tops, a summer dress/boho dress, a summer cardigan and some sandals.

Then for the complete opposite- unfortunately Daisies by night is freezing and because you'll be on the go all the time you should make sure you're warm! so I'm going to take: one or two pairs of jeans, a snood, a warm jacket and a denim jacket (to put over all my outfits during the evening), a pair of boots or wellingtons and one or two warm jerseys. 

One of my favourite festival looks
by Kate Bosworth- its chilled and
laid-back yet still so stylish
and well put-together. This is the
type of look I'm aiming for this year!

I'm counting down the hours to escape reality and of course- see Alt-J (and all the other incredible artists) live! 

To everyone that goes: have the most WONDERFUL time! 

X Zo

A Not So Perfect Role-Model

I can still remember seeing her for the first time in her plastic box; she looked so perfect, I remember hoping to my 6 year old, oblivious self that throughout my future years I would transform from my chubby-stomached, short, brown-haired self into a tall, skinny pretty blonde lady and the more and more I played with Barbie, the more and more I idealized my future life: I would have a husband just like Ken and we would live in a Dream House just like Barbie's and we would both drive around in our equally dreamy cars and there would never be any mishaps because of course, we would never stop smiling and everything would come easy to us- I think that’s where I started. That’s the period in which I started feeling inferior to societies view of what a perfect girl/woman should look like and what her life should comprise. 

Barbie has been a childhood success with annual sales of 1.5 billion dollars for more than forty years... but what lessonshas she taught society? There are various controversies around the doll. Some of which include major consumerism and materialism but the issue I will be discussing today as its the one I feel most strongly connected to is her unattainable body image- that has legitimately been proven to be inhumanely impossible.

Comparison of Barbie and the average sized woman of the same age

You must be wondering why on earth this random topic popped into my mind- its because I suddenly became curious as to what has impacted my (and millions of other women's-never the less men's) image of what the perfect woman SHOULD look like. Think about it for a second: this image we have that has been plastered securely in our brains impacts everything- in my life for instance it impacts the weight I believe I should be to be 'perfect' as well as the various other characteristics I need to acquire or better in order to complete this perfection... and after the research and reminiscing I've done, I've come to the conclusion that maybe the researchers are right: maybe we were all affected by this doll a lot more than we think.

Various studies have been conducted comparing the effect Barbie dolls have on young girls- one in particular compared perceived body image when young girls (age 5-8) were exposed to images or the actual barbie dolls or when they were exposed to Emme dolls (a doll that was created to create a healthier body image for children-U.S size 16) or no dolls at all-the baseline. The discoveries showed that the children exposed to the actual barbie dolls produced lower self-esteem and a greater desire for a thinner body shape than the other conditions. The study concluded “These findings imply that, even if dolls cease to function as aspirational role models for older girls, early exposure to dolls epitomizing an unrealistically thin body ideal may damage girls’ body image, which would contribute to an increased risk of disordered eating and weight cycling." 

But is it fair to declare all dolls bad and damaging on young girls?  

... Well, seeing as Mattel have been marketing the extremely thin doll for years and years and doesn't plan on changing her build anytime soon, I believe mothers should turn to a new doll for their children to give them a much better chance at having a healthy body image and more self-esteem: the Emme doll (mentioned above)- she is a plus-sized doll that at her weight- (just like Barbie) she has many careers and accessories.  

To conclude, I'd just like to say that I LOVED Barbie as a child; playing with her made me very happy and I guarded my collection with my young life 

'The Hill's socialite star Heidi Montag
has undergone countless Barbie-creatingsurgeries
for which she admitted were as a result
of her constant desire to be 'perfect'. - A perfect example of how far some people
will actually go to become their idealistic image of 'perfect'

BUT 

I do now think that she could very easily have contributed to the very low self-esteem and inferiority myself and many other girls/women feel about their bodies, looks and lives in general; Barbie with her perfect self, life, husband, car, house, family and job creates an unlikely and naïve belief that this is all attainable WHEREAS if you present me with someone (from this planet) who has nothing not working out for them from bills and loans to marks to relationship issues to family problems to your phone battery dying to your hair not looking nice one day to your socks not matching to you wanting more, to you wanting less to you not getting what you want for gods sakes!- you'll be sure to see my jaw drop! 

X Zo 

Can I make it up to you with pictures?

Hello possible readers. 

So, I apologise for not blogging for the last long while- firstly I was on camp for 5 days but I have been back for an equal 5... so no excuse. 

Anyways, something that comes with Blogging are days filled with laziness and the lack of ability to be able to pour out what you are thinking and feeling, and unfortunately the 21st of August has irritatingly decided to be one of those days. SO instead of leaving a blank space, I decided to fill it with some (hopefully?) pretty pictures... (mostly) Instagram ones to be exact, because I don't know about you, but when I'm lazy and have no intention or will to think- pictures do the trick... 

So here are a few photos that illustrate whats been happening in my life lately: 

Me, at Origin for breakfast

Possibly my favourite photo of Zach and my mom whilst having
coffee at Origin

Coffee and a Red Cappuccino (best drink EVER) from Knead
with Zach before school

The most incredible view I luckily caught on camera at camp

The beautiful wintery lake we passed on the way to camp

Playing put-put (I used to play it almost every
weekend when I was younger) with Zach.
It turned out to be so fun and such a nice way to spend
a Saturday afternoon.
... I won

My favourite way to start to the weekend.
A berry mojito at Hudsons in Greenpoint!

So worth stopping the car for this view on the Seapoint promenade!

Winter looks good on the Waterfront

A silly group photo of a few friends and I at a friend of mine's
'Breakfast at Tiffany's' themed 18th birthday breakfast

Smiles with him

The full moon view outside my window

The morning trees outside my school

 3 happy-shots taken at my adopted sister's 16th
surprise tea-party that I planned for her


Stay tuned for various blogposts coming this weekend.
X Zo
Instagram: zoevivesjancou

My Top 10 Current On-Repeat Songs:

10. Kendrick Lamar- Bitch Don't Kill My Vibe (Not a new tune but a mentionable one that never ceases to stay on my 'Most-Played' playlist)


9. Daughter- Medicine (A friend of mine recently happen to make me listen to this old-ish tune... you could describe it as almost melancholicly beautiful with its deep lyrics and amazing beat)


8. Katy Perry- Roar (Well she certainly knows how to create catchy, hit-singles! this fun.. classical-Perry tune is a good one for light-hearted situations)

7. Avicii- Wake Me Up (Overplayed... but still can't take away the fact that this is a top-class new song and such a nice variation from Avicii's usual stuff, as well as the cherry on top- the fact that No Diggity himself accompanies)

6. MKMT- Thank You (This song was recently released and has been climbing the charts ever since- It's super upbeat and has very catchy lyrics which make it an addictive tune)

5. Outkast- Ms. Jackson (Hitting you with an old, outcast (excuse the pun) classic song. Complied of Big Boi's harder rap complemented by Andre 3000's lighter pop choruses. Definitely a winner)

4. Coldplay Ft Jay-Z- Lost (I was always a huge fan of this original but recently I was introduced to the Jay-Z featuring and it blew (and continues to blow) my mind! It's such an incredible song with such beautiful lyrics and adding the King of Hip-Hop has made it one of my current favourites)

3. Ellie Goulding- Burn (This was one of those songs that as soon as I heard it, I wanted it in my music collection! It's got such a cool beat, intro and break and couldn't be a better choice to bring out Goulding's magical voice)

2. Jay-Z- Somewhere in America (Jay-Z's second most famous song in his long-awaited album- Magna Carter, after Holy Grail, but personally my preference! Jazz mixed with hip-hop... not to mention a Cyrus-twerk mention. I've been listening to this since it came out and still haven't got enough which just proves it!)

1. Lorde- NUMBER 1 CHOICE: Tennis Courts (BEST song I've heard in a long time; completely un-expected release but I sense a big hit from this tune. Alternative, electro song... starts off slow and escalates at the perfect pace. Plus: AMAAAAZING effects used for the lower voice!)

Get listening! 
X Zo