Competition time!

 

So the Bellas are having the most awesome competition:  We are looking for a Charity Ambassador.  Wow.  I wish I was 18 again so I could enter...  and fit into those clothes again, haha!   For once it’s not all about looks and bodies... it’s about how you help your neighbour.  This is one of this things that I love most about Bella Donna:  Yes we teach etiquette and style and make-up and all that jazz... but we also teach social responsibility. 

 

So many young girls out there have no idea what kind of an impact they could have on their environment if they just took 1 hour a week to do something worthwhile.  There are so many shelters (animal and human) out there that could do with some help, so many people who need clothing, so many elderly who would love someone to just visit them.  Yet we never seem to have the time.  I for one am looking forward to doing some of the social stuff with the entrants from my area.  I want to really be there for them and to encourage them every step of the way.  And if one of mine wins... well, even better!

 

The prizes are beyond this world and include photography shoots, pamper sessions, a weekend getaway, a house party, money, a limousine ride, facial products... to many to mention!  But mostly, she will be standing for a good cause and be our Bella Girl, our face.  I get exited just thinking about it!  The crowning evening promises to be a gala event, with celebrities, music, lights and evening gowns.  Every girls dream!

       

So why not enter?  Come on, you have nothing to loose!  And so much to gain...  For once this is a chance for the girl in the corner to strut her stuff, show her skills en be reckoned, without having to worry about beauty or the perfect body.

 

Go see what it’s all about on our website at www.belladonnaclasses.com – NOW!!

Bella Donna Classes Brackenfell Branch had our certificate evening!

On the 22nd of July 2011 my Brackenfell branch had our certificate evening and fashion show for our first class. What an affair! It was a no-holding-back, glitz-and-glam evening... Held in a factory! Jip, you read right, a factory. It took some hard work from my team (hubby, dad, friends, myself and of course the girls' tables) to turn it from drab to fab in a day, but miracles do happen!

Of course we had some hiccups: Trying to find a caterer to fit our budget was impossible, so my husband Herman's rep at his business, Lucinda, offered to help with the food by making lasagne and salad. My dad made butternut soup for the first time in his life, while Lucinda's daughter Chanel made her famous Malva pudding for desert. None of our sound stuff wanted to work together, so we phoned Mandy from HQ who helped us out with sound AND lights. Two of the girls (sisters) had to pull out at the last minute, leaving me scrambling to find 2 models to replace them and having to cut on costs due to less ticket sales. Then, as I was soaking in the bath (my thinking space) the Thursday before the show, it hit me: the Bellas of the future! My own 2 little girls, Chené (7) and Mia-Mari (3) could stand in for them. Obviously the clothes wouldn't fit, but mommy made a plan, while my friends bought tickets to help me out!

On Friday night the girls arrived around 5 pm to set up their tables and be taken through their steps again by model master Kevin, before being beautified by our team. My friend Lana played hostess and saw to the guests, while I still got dressed upstairs. After the welcome to all, we were ready to begin! The girls entertained their own guests at their tables while the starter was served. After the starter, they went to get dressed in their fashion show best, while I chatted to the guests about our sponsors and the girls themselves. All during our evening the girls were judged by phantom judges on some of the things they were taught, as we had some wonderful sponsored prizes for them. And then the show began. We had a range from Chanel Sauerman from Revival Style as the girls’ first outfits, then cocktail dresses, then the most beautiful evening gowns – both sponsored by The Princess Project. The girls wore masks for the evening gowns, taking them off after making their first turn on the runway – symbolizing that they are not the same person they were before the classes. The masks were repeated in our décor on the tables as well.

Once the show was done, we had our main meal and then the prize giving. After thanking all my special helpers, we announced the winners in each category. The girls had WOWed the guests and quite a few sisters / cousins / friends were VERY jealous and made sure to take a pamphlet! Pudding was served and people chatted away for a while afterwards. It seemed as if people had fun, as it ended off an hour later than I had anticipated – despite everything running (roughly) on time! I was so proud of my girls and it took all I had not to cry. We were also very honored to have Mandy and Marilet from head office there to share in the evening.

The evening was a resounding success, thanks to everyone’s hard work. We were truly blessed by so many people and I would like to mention them now:

- Mike from Fox & Brink in Epping, for organizing us a donation of fresh veggies towards our food costs.

- Graham Ross for the use of his sound equipment after ours failed.

- My husband Herman, for his help, support and doing our sound at the show.

- My dad Henry, being everywhere I needed him.

- My friend and ex-marketer Lana Smit, for all her help.

- Trudie Kotze, for lending us her heating plate for the food and her gas heater for the cold factory.

- Lucinda Moses, for stepping in and making our fabulous food.

- Suzaan Saayman (my sister) and Amelia Kotze for doing our ladies' fabulous hair.

- Tanja Williams and Louisa Marais for the professional make-up they did on our girls.

- Chanel Sauerman from Revival Style for supplying us with part of her fashion range for our show.

- The Princess Project, who sponsored the ladies' cocktail and evening gowns. They are a non-profit organization who supply underprivileged ladies with gowns and accessories for their functions, at no cost.

- Janine and Wikkie van Rooyen from the mR 5 stores for sponsoring so much of our décor of the evening, as well as the table arrangements on my tables, made by Janine herself.

Our prize sponsors were:

Connie Prinsloo from Connique Jewellery, who sponsored this beautiful set for our best hostess winner, Ané. As Connie says herself, her work is ’A Personal Statement of Elegance and Charm’. Please visit her facebook page to see more of her work - It truly is a work of art!

http://www.facebook.com/ConniqueJewellery

Wikkie and Janine van Rooyen from the mR 5 Stores, who sponsored the prize for the best table winner Louise – a gift voucher to shop at their stores! From personal experience, I know that she will have too much to choose from… See their FB page here:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/MR-5-store/117131251671049

From Natacha Wadsworth of Natacha Wadsworth Photograpy, who sponsored a free photography session for our model winner, Heather. Knowing Natacha since our school days, I’m sure she will make our girl look pure BELLA! Can’t wait to see those pics… See her website here:

http://www.natachawadsworth.co.za/

Please check out our photos of the evening on the Bella Donna Group Page on Facebook – there are some really nice pictures there. Once again, a warm thank you to everyone involved. To my girls – you were gorgeous, really Bella-esque… I will miss you!

Changing life’s lanes...

I was driving along, on my way to work one morning a few weeks back, when I got the idea for this blog.  You see, I have bad eyesight - and because of this I hate driving in peak hour traffic.  My reaction time is too slow to be effective and I’m always too scared or too slow to take a gap if one pops up.  My husband Herman on the other hand is a terrific driver, gap-taker and general manoeuvring-his-way-through-peak-traffic-fast-and-efficient-and-without-dents-to-the-car-person. So I prefer to be driven around, instead of driving myself around - not that he LETS me drive when he's with me!

Anyway, what was my point here? Oh yes...  Being a person afraid of taking gaps, also seems to make me generally terrified of taking risks of any kind.  But this morning, as I sat waiting for the line to move, I saw a guy take the gap and get ahead of the rest of us scardy-cats...  And something inside me just said 'I want to do that!  I want to take the gaps and not be so afraid of them anymore!'  You see, I'm one of those 'safe bets' when it comes to people, always on the straight and narrow.  So why now?  Why want to change now?

It might have something to do with the fact that I resigned my job this past December to run my own business as of next week.  Though the business has been in existence for almost a year, it's still a major prayer case - which I do, every day.  For me though, this has been a major gap-taking, totally against my nature.  Yet I find myself thinking outside my straight line more and more, as if this one wild act has released something in me, something that makes me want to be that gap-taker, that gal who gets ahead in life.  I've been waiting for this chance my whole life, and golly, I'm taking it!  Perhaps this is just another part of my ONE new year's resolution - this year I'm going to live my dream! What is my dream, you may ask.  Well, ever since I became a mom I wanted a job where I could be with my kids when they needed me, but still be a leader in my field.  And now I'll have my dream with this business - though I have another business along the side, to help with the cash flow!  You know me, always busy...  I guess the time for make or break is now, when my dream is within my grasp.

So, the next time you see a white ford tracer taking the gap in traffic, the one you were too hesitant to take yourself...  That gap-taker is me - going for it!   Wish me luck...

Be Blessed!

My Prayer Child

  My elder daughter Chené has a very special spiritual gift and even as young as 6, she’s realizing the power behind it.  When she prays – THINGS HAPPEN!  I (of little faith) am amazed every time it does and I don’t know if her prayers are heard purely because of her faith in the fact that she asked God, so now whatever we prayed for will happen, or because of the fact that she is in awe of her gift.

My little prayer child was not planned, she was sent by God at a time when her parents needed her.  I always tell her that she was the best present I ever received from God.  I remember that when she was born, I didn’t sleep for 36 hours because the adrenaline was pumping and I couldn’t stop looking at and touching her.  Now she’s growing into a tall, lithely little girl with a colourful imagination (mmmm, a bit of Mommy there!) and a kind heart to all around her.

We constantly teach her about God and because we belong to a charismatic church, she also learns about the anointing of the Holy Spirit and spiritual gifts, with prayer being one of them.  She’s taken to her gift with an eagerness that is beyond her years.  I can’t really pinpoint when we noticed her gift, though I do remember one specific case where we needed a breakthrough for our business.  She prayed for us, in her childlike words and manner, and God heard her.  The breakthrough came!  Hubby Herman did that typical movie moment of – look at each other - ‘do you think…? No, it can’t be, she’s too young! But what if…’  and we started taking note.  More and more often things would fall into place when Chené prayed, to the point that, when we told her that she has a really special gift, she has been praying for anyone in need without being asked to do so.  She even prays for her little sister when she’s sick (all on her own) and lays hands on her father’s knee whenever his pain gets too bad. 

Two weeks ago I lost my purse – I looked EVERYWHERE, it was just nowhere to be found.  By last week I was almost crying, frustrated at not finding it and more frustrated with having to have my drivers licence and cards replaced at this time of year.  Last week Wednesday I dropped my kids with my mom, who would watch them while we had to work.  Mom knew about my purse, so she and Chené prayed.  That same afternoon, after I picked them up from Grandma, Chené tapped me on the shoulder in the car and handed me my purse!  She found it under a crate that was holding my seat in position (the nuts broke).  When I exclaimed my joy, she just stated that she and Grandma prayed about the purse, that’s why she found it.  Matter-of-factly… :-)  Two nights ago we had another issue with our business which needed an answer and she sat next to me while listening to daddy and my conversation.  “Mommy, must I pray for it?” she asked.  I almost started crying, but just hugged her instead.  Her faith was bigger than mine.

She recently asked me if she MUST have her eyes closed when she prays.  I explained that I love to pray to God while driving and that it would be a bit difficult to close my eyes then!  On her question of how I could pray WITHOUT my eyes closed, I explained that it’s a matter of focus – I focus on God during my driving and speak to Him loudly, as if He’s sitting next to me.  It’s the only time I have that’s quiet enough and leaves me with at least 15 minutes of prayer time, so why not use it!  I could see her little  mind racing to digest all that I had explained – now to see what she does with it!

I hope that God will always bless my little prayer child’s prayers as it comes from her heart.  She’s an inspiration to me and has given me a new lease on praying! 

Be Blessed in this Christ-Season!!

The very special pearls…

We had an interesting and uplifting message in church this past Sunday, both morning and evening, which made me think of this story that I had.  The message is basically the same as what is told here, so here goes:

The cheerful little girl with bouncy golden curls was almost five.  Waiting with her mother at the checkout stand, she saw them, a circle of glistening white pearls in a pink foil box. "Oh mommy please, Mommy. Can I have them? Please! , Mommy, please?" Quickly the mother checked the back of the little foil box and then looked back into the pleading blue eyes of her little girl's upturned face. A dollar ninety-five. That's almost $2.00. If you really want them, I'll think of some extra chores for you and in no time you can save enough money to buy them for yourself. Your birthday's only a week away and you might get another crisp dollar bill from Grandma."

As soon as Jenny got home, she emptied her penny bank and counted out 17 pennies. After dinner, she did more than her share of chores and she went to the neighbour and asked Mrs. McJames if she could pick dandelions for ten cents. On her birthday, Grandma did give her another new dollar bill and at last she had enough money to buy the necklace.

Jenny loved her pearls. They made her feel dressed up and grown up.  She wore them everywhere, Sunday school, kindergarten, even to bed. The only time she took them off was when she went swimming or had a bubble bath.  Mother said if they got wet, they might turn her neck green.

Jenny had a very loving daddy and every night when she was ready for bed, he would stop whatever he was doing and come upstairs to read her a story.  One night as he finished the story, he asked Jenny, "Do you love me?"  “Oh yes, daddy. You know that I love you."  “Then give me your pearls."  "Oh, daddy, not my pearls.  But you can have Princess, the white horse from my collection, the one with the pink tail.  Remember, daddy?  The one you gave me.  She's my very favourite."  "That's okay, Honey, daddy loves you. Good night." And he brushed her cheek with a kiss.

About a week later, after the story time, Jenny's daddy asked again, "Do you love me?"  “Daddy, you know I love you."  “Then give me your pearls."   "Oh Daddy, not my pearls.  But you can have my baby doll.  The brand new one I got for my birthday.  She is beautiful and you can have the yellow blanket that matches her sleeper."  “That's okay. Sleep well. God bless you, little one. Daddy loves you."  And as always, he brushed her cheek with a gentle kiss.

A few nights later when her daddy came in, Jenny was sitting on her bed with her legs crossed Indian style.  As he came close, he noticed her chin was trembling and one silent tear rolled down her cheek.  “What is it, Jenny? What's the matter?"  Jenny didn't say anything but lifted her little hand up to her daddy.  And when she opened it, there was her little pearl necklace.  With a little quiver, she finally said, "Here, daddy; this is for you."  With tears gathering in his own eyes, Jenny's daddy reached out with one hand to take the dime store necklace, and with the other hand he reached into his pocket and pulled out a blue velvet case with a strand of genuine pearls and gave them to Jenny.

Wow! The father had the real pearls all the time. He was just waiting for Jenny to give up the dime-store stuff so he could give her the genuine treasure.  So it is with our Heavenly Father.  He is waiting for us to give up the cheap things in our lives so that he can give us beautiful treasures.  God will never take away something without giving you something better in its place.  The preacher explained it so well on Sunday, using short to tall men as degrees of comparison...  Every time God blesses us, the blessing will be bigger and better than the last blessing!  Even though we feel most like crying when we get to the big blessings, it is so worth it to just break through… so we can receive God’s grace in our lives!

May you BE BLESSED this week!

C.

Being a Christian…

Several years ago, a preacher from out-of-state accepted a call to a church in Houston, Texas.  Some weeks after he arrived, he had an occasion to ride the bus from his home to the downtown area.  When he sate down, he discovered that the driver had accidentally given him a quarter too much change…

As he considered what to do, he thought to himself, ‘You’d better give the quarter back.  It would be wrong to keep it.’  Then he thought, ‘Oh, forget it, it’s only a quarter.  Who would worry about this little amount?  Anyway, the bus company gets too much fare; they will never miss it.  Accept it as a ‘gift from God’ and keep quiet.’

When his stop came, he paused momentarily at the door, and then he handed the quarter to the driver and said, ‘Here, you gave me too much change…’

The driver, with a smile, replied, ‘ Aren’t you the new preacher in town?’

'Yes' he replied.
'Well, I have been thinking a lot lately about going somewhere to worship. I just wanted to see what you would do if I gave you too much change. I'll see you at church on Sunday.'

When the preacher stepped off of the bus, he literally grabbed the nearest light pole, held on, and said, 'Oh God, I almost sold your Son for a quarter.'

Our lives are the only Bible some people will ever read. This is a really scary example of how much people watch us as Christians, and will put us to the test! Always be on guard -- and remember -- You carry the name of Christ on your shoulders when you call yourself 'Christian.'

Watch your thoughts ; they become words.
Watch your words; they become actions.
Watch your actions; they become habits..
Watch your habits; they become character.
Watch your character; it becomes your destiny.

I'm glad a friend forwarded this to me as a reminder... :-)

Be Blessed!

My Prayer Tree

 

I have a very special tree in my back yard that I call my “prayer tree”.  According to my hubby Herman, it’s actually a weed and not a real tree, but I don’t care.  (Don’t some of us start out as weeds and end up being seen as trees, anyway?)  I love to get up earlier on summer mornings to hang up my

washing, so I can smell the sent of the wonderful, tiny little flowers that the tree has.  The flowers has the effect of making me close my eyes and draw in their sent to the point where my head is rolled back and my face is turned toward the sky… which in turn makes me look at Heaven when I open my eyes again… so I begin to pray and thank God for everything in my life.  This is a wonderful way to begin my mornings!

 

When I go to use the toilet, the open window lets the flowers’ wonderful smell waft in, calling me to come out and pray to say thank you for all the wonderful things in my life.  I smile when I smell it; it makes me happy.  I hate winter, mostly because it takes the joy of my prayer tree away from me and I have to struggle through the long, cold months to get to smell it again.  But oh boy!  The joy I feel when I get my first whiff of those little flowers!  I know it sounds corny that something so stupid can mean so much to me, but the time I spend hanging up my washing, smelling those flowers and TALKING TO GOD means the world to me.  It’s my personal little bit of alone time with my Father, spent surrounded by heavenly smells which I still insist He planted there years ago, knowing that it would someday become special to me. 

 

So in the same mindset, my eldest daughter Chené brought me a flower from her day mother’s garden the other day.  She explained to me that the flowers were them (Chené, little sister Mia and Herman), with me being the stem of the flower that keeps them all together… I FELT LIKE CRYING!!!  What wisdom to come from my fluttering, couldn’t-care little 5 year old!  It made me realise that in many households it is just like that – though the father is the head of the household, it’s the mother’s love and care and worry and prayers that keeps the family together!  (I know my mother did all of that and we still consider her our rock.)  But take away the stem and what happens to those flowers… sad…  I felt so honoured (as I still do) that my daughter thought of me as the stem – I just hope that I will live up to her vision of me!  I took a picture of the flower so I could tell you this story. 

 

May you too find a prayer tree in life!  And mommies – GO BE A STEM!!!

 

Be Blessed! C.