Oh there is such beauty in age

I have recently turned 45 and it feels as if I am at this beautiful turning point in my life. I have decided that for the next 75 years (yes, I plan to reach 120) ,I want to live an honest life. I have always tried being honest and ethical when it came to other people, but from now on I want to be honest with myself. And if people see me as selfish, then I would say “good for me, it’s about time”

Too long have I done things that I didn’t like, because I felt I had to. One of the the things I will be honest about is camping; I hate it!!!!!. I do not mind as much being in a remote area for a day or two where I have to use a spade and a bush – then I shift my mind to coping; but camping in campsites, especially when touring through Africa, I have had enough. I do not want to pitch a tent at night, “braai” till late, go to a dirty ablution, get into bed with the tent and my hair reeking of smoke. Waking up at dawn due to other campers who cannot move quietly, then having to shower (I love to bath) in cold water, because nobody put wood in the “donkey”. Then it’s breakfast and the packing up starts, just to be driving for a whole day, till everything repeats again at night. No more…..

I would see Africa staying in Lodges. While my family is off on safari, I will gladly stay at the Lodge having a massage on the deck, with animal sounds in the background. And if I cannot afford it, I do not mind staying at home – it's clean and comfortable.

I realize that people see me as being arrogant and stuck-up, but again the beauty of my age – I actually do not care.

Comfort in Gucci

 I studied Fashion Design and worked in Cape Town before I got married 21 years ago and changed my roll to being a farmer’s wife.

I soon realised that in the country you do not wear high heels when doing your shopping at Spar, nor do you wear your vintage faux fur jacket when eating at the local steakhouse. My wardrobe had to change drastically, comfort being the keyword. Flat shoes, capris, T-shirts – basic attire for most women. My problem though, I have always loved clothes, and especially shoes – Duh! I’m a fashion designer! I tried toning down, and even after launching my artistic career,  tried more “artsy” clothes, but every time I would go to Europe I cringed. The impeccably dressed women (and men) in Paris, Milan, Florence. I would look at the clothes in the shop windows like a child at a toy shop. Always yearning…….., but we’re into comfort.

Until I bought my first pair of genuine leather Italian high heels. The most comfortable shoes I have ever owned. These feet have also had the privilege to have had a pair of Gucci’s on them – I would run with them. If you think of it, Italian shoes need to be comfortable for those girls to be able to walk on cobble stones as they do.

A year and a half ago I took over a gallery, now being in business I could finally dress up. But how to combine my “business” look with being an artist. Easy, I paint in high heels and jewelry. As a matter of fact, now that I have finally made peace with who I am and how I like to dress, I have even baked a bread while wearing a pair of comfortable Italian highs.

The lesson here, one needn’t call a pair of tracksuit pants, your husband’s old t-shirt and your worn out crocs comfortable, you can be perfectly comfortable in Lagerfeld , Gucci, and a whiff of  your favourite Pure Poison Elixer.

Oh my, and then there’s the  twinkle in my husband’s eye when he looks at me………