Days of the Dinosaur

My youngest is a paleontologist in the making. He is OBSESSED with anything to do with dinosaurs. This year he’s having a dinosaur party. That was the brief. Mommy has to make it happen. No stress… nothing that Pinterest and How To Cook That can’t fix.

When we first saw the Days of the Dinosaur ads my husband and I got so excited! Yes, WE got excited. (It’s what happens when you’re a parent.) It was definitely going to be on the July holiday itinerary. 

I realized when we got to Sandton Convention Centre that I’d forgotten my phone at home, so no photos :-(. The pics in this post are from the website.

The information on the interweb wasn’t sufficient for my OCD planning tendencies. I like to have as much info as possible for even the most mundane excursions. Initially when I checked out the ticketing details on Computicket you could buy a ticket for a particular day. The next time I checked you had to book a day and time. CONFUSION IN MY BRAIN! 

What apparently happened was that on the first day of the exhibition, everyone who had bought tickets for that day pitched up when the doors opened, which turned into a chaotic mess! Two hour long queues, congested exhibition space, very agitated children and parents. To avoid further frustration the organizers staggered ticket entrance times so that there wasn’t a rush on the venue. Weekend tickets were sold out weeks before the time, not that that was an option for us, anyway. Weekday it was.

THE EXHIBITION
Our tickets were for 11:00am and upon arrival we encountered a not so short line of people but five minutes later we were in the main exhibition hall. Ushers were around to help with where to go and what to do. Upon entrance to the hall you can hire an audio guide (similar to the one pictured below) for R35 that gives you more information about each dinosaur in the different scenes such as when they lived, what part of the world they were found, their various habits, etc. 

 

Image from here.

One audio guide can be used by two people when you connect the headphones that come with it. They don’t tell you this but we figured it out. It’s the same remote-looking contraption at the Body Worlds expo that only one person could use because they didn’t give a spare set of headphones.

The amount of information from the audio guide is overwhelming even for adults and I think goes over the head of a nine-year-old. My paleontologist is a few weeks away from seven-years-old and my eldest is 9. After about the 7^th or 8^th scene they weren’t interested in the audio guides anymore and to be honest, neither was I.

There are 16 scenes in total with 2-4 moving/robotic dinosaur models in each in various “natural” settings. The size of some of these things are intimidating and especially with a child-like imagination and the National Geographic education on dinosaurs most of us have, you can get sucked into the scene. The tour of the scenes is between half an hour and an hour, if you read all the information boards and listen to the audio guide. Towards the end you'll probably rush to get out but you have the entire day to go back and pick up where you left off. I'd suggest that if you get an audio guide, to do half the exhibition, take a break in  the interactive section but don't hand in the audio guide just yet, and then go back to the the second half. If you're not all that interested in all the information, then you'll spend about half an hour in the exhibits.

ACTIVITIES

Upon exiting the main exhibition hall you get to the interactive area and food court. The actual interactive area was just a console with 4 mini dinosaurs about 5m away that could be manipulated from a control desk with buttons to move various body parts. 

There was a sandpit where kids could dig for dinosaur bones. 

They could get their faces painted like dinosaurs for R40, they could buy novelties like walking dino helium balloons for R50, a You magazine-type dinosaur book (available in English and Afrikaans) for R35. There was also a stall for dino-souvenirs; t-shirts, socks, games, toys, etc. 

Then you could get your photo taken on one of the 3 or 4 dinosaur models for R50. Much like at the Sandton City Kids holiday programmes. 

 

There was also a 3D movie every half hour that really was missable. It had very little to do with dinosaurs and more to do with conserving the planet. I thought it was a waste of time, but it was “free” so I suppose I shouldn’t complain. 

FOOD
The food on sale wasn’t hectically overpriced as is normally the case with events like these. The lines at the food stalls moved quickly. You choice included things like hot dogs, slap chips, pizzas (margherita or chicken), juices, sodas, a variety of coffees, teas, hot chocolate and then tuck shop chips and chocolate. For a family of 4 plus granny we spent a total of about R250 on hot dogs, chips and a pizza that 2 adults shared, and drinks (coffee, hot chocolate, juice and bottled water).

As we exited the main hall, we bumped into a real, live paleontologist from Wits University which was the highlight of my son’s life up until this point! He was dumbstruck at the time but will tell you about the paleontologist first when you ask him about the whole Days of the Dinosaur experience.

The exhibition is on in Cape Town at the moment until 30 August. You can get your tickets at Computicket and if I’m not mistaken weekends are sold out already! It’s worth taking in, especially if your kids are into dinosaurs. And like a good kiddies movie, there’s something in it for the adults as well.

Making a statement?

Everything these days is statement, statement, statement. Statement jewelry, statement t-shirts, statement handbags… What do your statement pieces say?

Will you wear a sweatshirt/t-shirt with the words "Brat" or "Gold Digger" on it?

Grazia SA got into trouble recently when they asked their Twitter followers what the definition of slut was. 

When I saw it, it got me thinking. 1) about what contributes to my perception of slut and 2) why do I use that word at all?

Hours later I heard on the radio (or UNradio – my preferred choice of media) what a furore this question caused. Unfortunately for Grazia SA they asked the question on a day that the moral police was allowed to use the internet and unleashed all kinds of regulatory flagellation on the magazine.

Now let’s face it… The word is real and gets used on a daily basis, either inter-personally or intra-personally and everyone’s check-boxes for what makes someone a slut are different. I’m sure what they (the magazine) wanted to know is what the general consensus is. And, as it turned out, they were doing a feature on “slut-shaming”. Get your 23 July issue for more.

But then my question is: why is it such an issue to label someone a slut, but it’s okay for you to wear a top with the words “Gold Digger” on it? Because it’s a kind of labeling, isn’t it? But the meaning is different, you may say. But the connotation is the same, no? Or am I giving too much gravitas to something as totally superficial and meaningless as fashion? 

Images from my favourite online store. *Conundrum!*

Retail Therapy - Clicks Haul

Yesterday was one of those days that I just needed to escape for a little while and what better (and cheaper) way to do that than to indulge in some retail therapy. I had literally completely run out of shampoo and my conditioner bottle was being shamefully manhandled in what was becoming a futile attempt at extracting the last little drips. I'd say that's as good a reason as any for that retail holiday, isn't it?

So off to Clicks I went...

... and then this happened. Not particularly splurge-worthy in the greater scheme of things, but considering I went in for 2 things and came out with 9...

The reason I went to the shop, like I said, was for shampoo and conditioner. I wanted to try the Toni & Guy range, but the Clicks I visited didn't stock the it so I just bought whatever was on special. I don't have loyalty to any brand or haircare line, and there are a one or two brands that I will avoid because I haven't had success with their products in the past. So for the most part, I just buy what's on special, which in this case was Schwartzkopf Gliss Hair Repair With Liquid Keratin.

R42.35 each (Promotional price) 250ml shampoo and conditioner at Clicks

As far as first impressions go, I think you can make a decision as to whether you will use a shampoo or conditioner again after the first try. It either works or it doesn't. I used both the shampoo and conditioner last night and I was immediately taken with the scent. I'm not very good at describing scents so forgive me if I'm vague/totally off the mark with this description. I'd say it's fruity, floral and perfumey, I didn't find it at all to be offensive and the scent lingered until maybe late this morning. Bear in mind though that I didn't rinse the conditioner out of my hair, I usually leave it in until my next shower. It didn't do anything WOW to my hair, but didn't make it onto my never-to-be-bought-again list. It didn't weigh my hair down, my hair had bounce, maybe not as much shine as the previous shampoo and conditioner that I used, but I'll give this a decent go before giving a proper review.

I usually use a mask instead of a conditioner, and because I don't heat style my hair, I'll use one that will provide some sort of control for my frizzy, curly locks. I bought the Schwartzkopf Gliss Satin Smooth Anti-Frizz Mask for shits and giggles really. No rhyme or reason. I tend to go for products for dry/damaged/unruly hair and choosing this one made sense.

R79.95 200ml at Clicks (normal price, I think)

 I haven't tried it yet but you'll be sure to hear from me soon. I'll link that review to this post as soon as it's available.

Next not on my list was the Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Top Coat. 

R79.95 @ Clicks

 I was looking for the Mirror/Mega/Diamond Shine Top Coat, but they didn't have it in stock, so Insta-Dri it is.

I've successfully used up or gotten rid of almost all of my mascaras and the one that I'm currently using is on it's last legs. I've never used Maybelline mascaras before so I thought I'd give The Rocket Volum' Express a go because I've heard only good things about it. Or I may have heard bad things too, but I couldn't remember them, so I may have just bought a dud. I'll let you know... I usually get free samples of mascara in my Clinique Bonus Time freebies and buy one or two to take me through to the next Bonus Time, so this purchase was necessary.

R124.95 @ Clicks

Giant, spiky brush usually means vavavoom lashes.

Maybelline Baby Lips, you either love them or hate them and I kinda like them enough to have tried more. It's basically a lip balm, some are tinted, some have SPF and are supposed to be very hydrating, moisturising and long lasting. I bought the Cherry Me variant a while ago and it's found a permanent home in my car. It provides a decent amount of hydration which is essential for our dry winters and just a hint of colour and shine. Long lasting...? Maybe not so much but my lips were not drier than before as some lip balms can do, but that wasn't a deal-breaker for me. I wanted to go for one that didn't have any colour payoff so that my boys could use it too.

R24.99 on the shelf, R19.95 at the till. Nice surprise! @ Clicks

Intense Care with SPF 20

Hydrate

Garnier has released a BB Cream Eye Roll-On following the success of the normal BB Creams. It's basically a BB Cream in a roller ball tube and is available in light and medium. 

It claims to have 5 benefits for the eye area:

1) Hides dark circles.

2) Reduces the appearance of bags.

3) Fine lines appear less visible.

4) Illuminates

5) Hydrates

The rollerball applicator is intended to reduce the need for rubbing the delicate eye area.

First of all, can we talk about the ridiculous amount of packaging on this product?

Is it really necessary for a box as big as that? The actual product is the size of a lipstick... How about a vacuum seal?

Cool-to-the-skin rollerball applicator.

R69.95 exclusively available at Clicks.

I chose the darker of the two shades. I hope it won't be too light but for the eye area you do generally go a bit lighter. I use the dark shade in the facial BB cream.

And last but not least... anti-perspirant. 

R43.95 @ Clicks

I used Mitchum gel anti-perspirant for years and one day my body plain and simple rejected it. It just didn't work. So I jumped between Dove and Garnier a-p roll-ons but thought I'd give the Mitchum Invisible Solid a try. It claims 48 hour protection, as did the gel variety which I haven't put to the test because I'd take a shower at least once in 48 hours. But if the situation ever arises then at least I'll know I'm covered. I know that there are people who are anti-anti-perspirant, I am not one of them despite being aware of the effects of long-term use. I choose my battles. With dry underarms.

More indepth reviews to follow.

Take care.

When the fight for equality with men eludes me.

Scenario: RANDOM woman is shopping for last minute birthday party goodies for her son and phones her husband from the queue in a shop.

Wife: Baby, please check in the 5lt ice-cream tub in the plastics cupboard if there are still candles and how many there are. There's a whole bunch of loose plastic knives, forks, spoons and straws in that box and there might be some candles in there as well. I don't want to have to buy candles if there are enough.

Husband: OK, just hold on.

Husband disappears for a second. Lots of scuffling going on in the background.

Husband: Baby, there's only batteries and light bulbs in the box.

Wife: Baby are you looking in the drawer or in the cupboard.

Husband (annoyed): In the drawer, Baby! There's 3 2lt ice-cream tubs in the drawer and I don't see any candles here.

WHY DO WE FIGHT FOR EQUALITY WITH MEN?

(Image from here)

Nails... 1 year later

So my last post was almost a year ago. I can either do a post every 12 months, or I can try to give this blog some serious loving. I've been thinking in blog for the past few weeks now. You know, like when you start on Facebook and start thinking in status updates. Come on, you know what I'm talking about!

Although 10 months has passed since the last entry, much has changed, and some things are still the same. My obsession with nail polish has waned slightly, or maybe the obsession has become a habit and I've learnt to manage it better. Or maybe I just don't feel bad about buying new colours anymore. One thing that has changed is that I'm not into Essie anymore. I have a few colours now and I have to say, I think I'm wasting my money.

Let me elaborate, and someone please tell me how flawed my thinking is because there must be a scientific explanation refuting my reasoning. One of the things that I look for in nail polish is the staying power and Essie has not proven to be one with much staying power. Now, when this whole obsession started, I used to paint my nails EVERY SINGLE DAY. I soon saw the downside to doing this when my normally healthy, strong nails were splitting and tearing all over the place. No treatment or base coat was going to help the situation so I needed to give my nails a break and leave them NAKED for a few weeks. Apparently your nails need to breathe and nail polish, even with base coat, suffocates the nail which results in normally healthy nails becoming very sad indeed.

Anyway, after my nail polish down-time, which was about a month, I started my manicures again. And because I didn't have my daily ritual anymore, I found it to be a bit tedious getting back into it, so I'd change up the colour every couple of days. This is when I discovered that Essie really isn't an option anymore. For the first time, well, not the first time, but after a long time I've had to leave a nail polish on for a few days, and the Essie wasn't standing up to the R20 and R30 nail polishes from the barrels at Dischem. It would chip after just one day. Now I've used it with and without base and top coats, but I've done so with the other polishes as well. I showed my husband on more than one occasion how flawlessly a R30 polish looked after almost a week, chip free! Base and top coats can make any manicure look amazing, but the true test is how it wears without these. And staining... even Essie stains, depending on the colour. 

I'm not keen on spending tons of dosh on, well, anything really, so Essie is the only more expensive nail range that I've bought so far. And like I said, unless my nails fall off, which it hasn't (so far), I'm good with brands like: LA Girl, Catrice, M.O.D., Passion from Dischem and Essence, Tip Top Nails from Clicks. My justification is also that, if it doesn't work I won't feel bad to chuck it coz it didn't cost the week's milk.

I was at Dischem 3 times this week and I think the first time I came out with 2 polishes, one from M.O.D. and one from Passion. These are brands that you'll only find in the huge barrels in the beauty department when they have their beauty fairs. The colours are vibrant and only cost between R17 and R20. I just applied the M.O.D. polish in 101, which is a gorgeous, bright blue-based pink with the finest silver shimmer, opaque in one coat! It's a beautiful colour for dark-skinned hands, like mine. Sometimes bright pinks, especially, can look odd on darker complexions.

The other thing about these brands is that they don't indicate what the formulation is, and I've bought 2 really bold colours that turned out to be matte, which I'm not too crazy about. I love the look, but the feel is chalkboardy which I feel on my tooth nerves and I hate it. But that problem can easily be solved with a glossy top coat.

Oh, and I haven't done gelish again. A friend of mine is a qualified nail technician and she offered to do my nails once it was restored to it's healthy selves, but I never took her up on the offer. I'm not too keen on having to go to someone to maintain my nails. I'm just not that kind of girl...

Pics will be up tomorrow...

Gelish nails

A few weeks ago I was suckered into getting a gelish manicure. Well actually, I'm a sucker for a good deal, so I was just being myself when I took up the offer at Dischem (where I get my treatments - coz every 5th treatment of the same kind is free... see!) for a gelish mani with free gelish pedi. I didn't even know how much it cost until I got to the till. (R195 for a mani btw).

Anywho, gelish is a gel nail polish that gets applied in many stages and each stage has to be cured. It takes quite a long time, but the results are well worth the time spent. Once the last stage is cured, your nails are set, no drying time, and it lasts for up to 3 weeks. It doesn't smudge, doesn't chip, stays put until you take it off or it grows out with your nail. If it's not properly done, it will start peeling away, which will be very annoying.

Mine took 2 hours to apply: fingers and toes. You'd better make sure you like your therapist coz that's a long time to be spending with someone one-on-one. The colour range is not very extensive and the colours are safely standard. The colours I chose were a pretty pink (Light Elegant 01327) on my fingers and a sparkly deeper pink (High Voltage 01402) on my toes. See here for colour swatches.

I won't get into the process, there's a video you can watch to see what application entails.

Once the last coat is cured, you can put socks and shoes on or scratch around in the depths of your handbag for those elusive keys and it won't do a thing to your manicure. If you're the type of person who wants to have colour on your nails, but can't be bothered because it needs frequent maintenance, this is definitely for you. It really lasts! What is also awesome about gelish is that you can apply other nail polishes over the gel and remove it with normal nail polish remover and it won't affect your manicure.

The proper way to remove the gel is to soak a swab (cotton wool ball, pad, swab) in acetone, wrap your nail with the cotton wool, wrap foil over the cotton wool and let it dissolve for ten minutes. After 10 minutes, whatever is not on the cotton wool after you've taken it off your nails, you can scrape away with an orange stick or with your nail, and your nails are good for another application.

I don't think I'll do it again because I like to change my nail colour if not every day, then at least every second day. I really liked the end result of the mani, but I started to get fidgetty around the fourth day and started picking at the polish because I can't stand to have the same colour on for too long. I managed to hold out for a week and a bit, but then I just started peeling it off. NOT THE RECOMMENDED REMOVAL METHOD!!! Layers of your nail comes off with the polish which you then have to buff away to smooth out again. Needless to say this is very damaging for your nails and could result in infection!

When the stain grows out (I don't use a base coat with my normal nail polish - not good either, I know) and if I can stand some length on my nails, I might consider getting a french gel mani, especially because you can apply other colours onto it. I still highly recommend it though, it just doesn't suit my short attention span.

If you've tried it, let me know what you think about it.

Ramblings of a lunatic.

I can post blogs every day, all day, if I only have my laptop with me or I can talk into a dictaphone that will automatically post to the blog. I'm not a routine person, so committing time to post a blog everyday will bore me to death, even though I have so much that I'd like to post.

The only reason I'm doing this now is because I have an assignment due on Monday, I have a netball game on this afternoon, I need to get stuff off to the bank, lectures on Friday for 3 modules (for whch I've done no work), Sunday's a get together with some friends and I've volunteered to make a salad and dessert, Monday night's report evening at my son's school and I'm thinking of making muffins for the class parents... The long and the short of it is that I'm overwhelmed by my current workload, so naturally I'll procrastinate, stress out, distract myself, stress more, eat outside of my eating plan, stress more... it's a vicious cycle.

I changed the title of this post from "Gelish Nails", coz that is what I decided I want to blog about today, and I will, in a post on gelish nail polish, but what was supposed to be an introduction turned into rambling a post long... For more on my take on gelish nail polish, click through to the post here.

(Picture from here)