Lifestyle - Inspired Living SA

Competitions, International, Lifestyle, Travel

Flyconnected Giveaway

We all rely quite heavily on technology, even though most of us don’t like to admit it! How often do you leave your cell phone at home and feel like you have lost an arm! We can say what we like, but technology has become a part of our everyday lives. We all like to be connected whether it’s by cell phone, tablet or lap top it does not really matter, as long as you are able to make the connection. So when we have to travel internationally this can cause a bit of a problem, trying to get your cell phone cleared for international roaming can be a rather frustrating process or having to borrow a phone from someone while you are travelling can be somewhat inconvenient. So what if I told you there is an amazing new product that could remedy these issues?

Flyconnected is a new company, that provides travellers with the convenience of getting connected before they fly. They have the best deals with unlimited data and lots of text and call credit. With Flyconnected you can not only save money by getting your UK SIM card here in SA before you fly but you can also let your friends, family or colleagues know your number before you leave on your trip. You will be able to leave your number on your voice mail and out-of-office message, making it much easier for people to be able to contact you while you are away.

Some of the other benefits of using Flyconnected are that you will be connected with the UK’s biggest 3G network, giving you complete peace of mind and you have the convenience of being able to order your “bundle” online. Your order will be delivered to you within 2 Working days and as you pay for your sim or data upfront there are no hidden costs or astronomical bills when you return from your trip.

So if you are planning a trip to the UK for business or pleasure, possibly to watch the Olympic Games, this product is perfect for you.

I am so excited to announce that Flyconnected are sponsoring a giveaway of a cell phone SIM bundle for one of my lucky readers! All you have to do is answer one simple question from the Flyconnected website, subscribe to Super Mom’s Newsletters and leave a comment with your answer and details below this post.

So here is what you need to do:

Click through to the Flyconnected website here and tell me how much you will pay for the cell-phone sim bundle *(This step is mandatory)
Subscribe to Super Mom Blogs Newsletter by entering your email below :

Please leave your answer in the comment section below this post, along with your details (please include your email address).

For Extra Entries:

“Like” Super Mom Blogs Facebook page *(Earns you one extra entry)
Tweet about this giveaway on Twitter – mentioning @supermomsablog and Flyconnected *(Earns you one extra entry)

Please leave one additional comment after each of your extra entries!

Competition Details:

This giveaway will run from the 23rd February 2012, until midnight on the 10th April 2012. The winner will then be selected and announced on my blog on the 11th April. They will also be notified by email that they have won.
Conditions of entry: Anyone may enter this giveaway, but please note that Flyconnected is a South African company and your prize will only be shipped within South Africa.

Image Source: Pinterest, Flyconnected

Fashion, Fashion, Lifestyle, Look of the Week

Look of the Week – Floral "Party Pants"

My look of the week this week is bang on trend! “Party” pants are very much the trend at the moment and paired with a smart black blazer it gives the whole look a smart – sassy edge. Add a pair of killer heels and you are well on your way to super sexy “street style”.

I am not necessarily convinced that this look is for me but I would be willing to at least give it a try!

Image Source: FabHunter

Be Inspired, Featured Posts, Gift Ideas, Interviews, Lifestyle, Real Women.Real Life, Websites

Heart and Home Online Gift Shop

This week my Real Women – Real Life feature focuses on Kathryn and Vanessa Rheeder, from Heart and Home. Vanessa gives us a bit of insight into the lives, of two local Cape Town mom’s running an online business.

Tell Us A Bit About Heart and Home?

Heart and Home is an online gift shop that was launched on the 9^th of February this year. I (Vanessa) was working as a finance manager in the corporate field and wanted to do something a little more creative and flexible as I am a mother of 2 boys, Josh and James. Kathryn is going to be a mom in September and our online gift shop provides us with the flexibility, of having a business while still allowing us to spend time with our children.

We both share the love of products that are unique, charming and reasonably priced. Our goal was to source products that aren’t readily available in South Africa, to ensure that we offer something different to our customers. We also want to support local suppliers so we have included some local products, which fit our signature brand and style.

Tell Me About The People Behind Heart and Home?

Kathryn and I both live in Melkbosstrand, Cape Town and are sisters-in-law, business partners and long-time school friends. As mentioned above, I am a mom of 2 boys and Kathryn is expecting her little boy in September. Kathryn is consulting full-time at the moment and I used to work as a financial manager for a listed company.

We found a great deal of inspiration from overseas websites when we were designing and developing our brand and website. We love products from the UK, Scandinavia and South Africa of course. We also love visiting food and craft markets in South Africa.

What Are Your Favourite Products & Why?

We stock both local and imported products. We especially love the local, handmade babushka dolls, owls and tepee tents which you can find in our handmade section.

We have only been trading for a month so our bestsellers change all the time but at the moment, the jumbo shoppers are our bestsellers. They come in 4 designs and are made from recycled plastic bottles so they are eco-friendly too, which makes them a practical and unique gift.

What Would You Say Your Personal Décor Style Is?

My personal style is more contemporary with a touch of classic, while Kathryn’s is more classic with a touch of vintage chic.

What Advice Can You Give to Women Starting Their Own Business?

My advice to women, especially mom’s, starting up their own business is to ensure they have a proper support system in place and a separate office to work in. My eldest son gets dropped at crèche in the mornings and my nanny looks after James. I work upstairs in my office and I’m available to spend the afternoons with the boys.

[quote style=”1″]Ask God for a creative idea – He knows you the best and always gives you something original and helps you along the way![/quote]

Make sure you spend time on research, draw up a formal business plan with financial forecasts. It’s important to know where you are going. Ensure that you implement the proper systems for your business. Use reputable service providers for website design, development and hosting. Use good quality images and descriptions for your products as your customer relies heavily on this.

What Was The Biggest Challenge Setting Up Your Business?

The biggest challenges I faced was not earning a salary for the last 12 months and learning to have patience as it takes time to set up the website and to make it profitable. Kathryn is still working full-time so she has had to juggle the business and her full-time job!

Where Do You See Heart & Home in 5 Years?

We would like to increase our product base in the near future. We have to manage our cash flow so we will only introduce new products as and when we can. We have a 3 year financial forecast which we hope to meet. Our vision is to be one of the leading online gift shops in South Africa.

Thank you to Vanessa from Heart and Home for sharing a few of your business and life insights with us. I wish you every success with your business and hope you achieve your goal of becoming one of SA’s leading online gift shops!

Heart and Home are offering a 15% discount off your initial purchase when you sign up for their newsletter, check their website here for more details. If you like their Facebook page before the 31^st of March 2012 and you could win a R350 Heart and Home gift voucher.

Images: Photography by Leigh-Ann Cooke of Love Life Photography

Cape Town, Cape Town Lifestyle, Exploring the Cape, FAR Photography, Lifestyle, Local, Travel

Discovering Cape Town – Franschhoek

As I have mentioned before we really enjoy taking trips out to Franschhoek, it is mere 45 minute drive from Cape Town, which makes it perfect for a day trip or a weekend getaway. I love visiting the area, truth be told I would love to move there! I just need to convince the rest of my family!

We took a trip out to this beautiful little town two weeks ago, the main purpose for our visit was to take photographs and gather information for my eldest daughters school project. The added benefit, for the parents, was a wine soaked lazy lunch! Franschhoek, in my opinion is by far one of the most stunning wine regions in the Cape! The town’s name Franschhoek is Dutch for ‘French Corner’, the area is steeped in history and home to The Huguenot Monument, which you can see in the photographs above.

Cape Town Lifestyle, Competitions, Gift Ideas, Gift Stores, Lifestyle

Win A Coco li Gift Voucher

Coco li Gift Voucher Giveaway

Last week I featured the beautiful boutique gift store Coco li on my blog (see my interview here) and today I am super excited to announce that we are giving away a R300 voucher, to spend at either one of the Coco li stores!

Coco li is an upmarket Gift Boutique, situated in Cape Town. They have two stores in Cape Town – one situated in Cape Quarter Centre, in Green Point and the other in The Paddocks Centre, in Milnerton. They pride themselves on stocking predominantly locally designed and sourced treasures.

So here is what you need to do:

“Like” Coco li’s Facebook page and “Like” Super Mom Blogs Facebook page *(This step is mandatory)

Leave a comment stating that you have completed the above; along with your details in the comment section below this post (please include your email address)

*For Extra Entries:

Follow Coco li on Twitter *(Earns you one extra entry)

Please leave one additional comment after each of your extra entries!

Competition Details:

This giveaway will run from the 19th February 2012, until midnight on the 2^nd April 2012. The winner will then be randomly selected and announced on my blog on the 3^rd April. The winner will also be notified by email that they have won.
Conditions of entry: Anyone may enter this giveaway, but please note that Coco li is based in Cape Town and your voucher will need to be spent in either one of their stores and may not be exchanged for cash.

Contact Details: Cape Quarter 021-421 0499 Paddocks 021-555 2824