DREAM DRESSES BY GERT VAN EEDEN

18/01/2025

Matric Farewell - Super Suzie or Average Aida?

Cast your thoughts forward with 10 years. You are looking at pictures from school, sport and your Matric Dance. What do you want to see? Do you want to think ‘’Wow, how great we looked, what fun we had’’ of ‘’What on earth possessed me to wear that???’’ Super Suzie or Average Aida?
Start by looking at yourself in the mirror. Look with honesty, without expectation or criticism.
See the beauty in yourself. People will never tell you your hair is beautiful if it is not true. Or that you have beautiful eyes, stunning legs and so on.
Most people (except bullies) will remain mum on your short comings, and who believes a bully anyway? Have a good look – take a few minutes. Turn sideways, try a few poses, pout your lips – have fun.
Then make a list of all the features you think is great – legs, neck, eyes etc. These are the features you want to accentuate.
Do you want/need to lose a few kilos? To suddenly join a gym and become a gym bunny wont work – you might just exercise yourself into a different body shape. I often recommend a sensible diet and mild exercise. One of my favorite pages is ‘’Die Platsak Diabeet’’. It is a page for diabetics who want to lose weight, BUT it has hundreds of delicious, low carb recipes and ideas that would help anyone to take the kilos off. You are not required to buy expensive diabetic foods – they show you how to eat normal everyday products in a way that is healthy. You don’t even have to cut sugar if you don’t want to. Have a look – you will not be sorry. If you don’t like that page, you can use any other rational weight-loss method, as long as it is healthy and not too dramatic. Remember we want to lose weight, and keep it off. Try walking briskly for 30 minutes every day, 5 days a week. Walking is the perfect exercise that tones all your muscles, help shape your legs and builds muscle in all the right places.
While you do this, start thinking about the color and style of your ideal dress. Look at pictures, but keep in mind that what you see in pictures is not always the truth. If you like the idea, try to imagine it on your body – can it work?
More about ideas for dresses next time…
Until next week – Ciao Bella!

16/01/2025

Matric Farewell 2025 – Aida Average or Super Suzie

Girls (and Moms) Matric Farewell can be daunting, intimidating, scary.
School just started and instead of chatting about school subjects and new teachers, girls are already talking Matric Farewell.
What shall I wear? My Hair? My shoes? Make-up? My date???
‘’Have you heard Heather already had her dress designed by so-and-so?’’

When I was in Matric, we had a girl who had very pronounced facial scars from a car accident a few years back. Not only were the scars very visible, but the skin around it was discolored and red – the redness covered about half her face. She was popular, a bit self-conscious and shy, but she was ok.
Fast forward to the Matric Farewell. We were just about all inside the hall and seated when a last arrival was announced. The companion came in first, and a few seconds later Nina* made her entrance.
We were stunned. Gone was the scars, the discolored skin. A classic movie star from the 1040’s greeted us – perfect make-up, sultry smoky eyes, long, long lashes, a touch of rouge and deep red lips that could melt ice cream a mile away. Gone was the straight, mousy almost shoulder length hair – her face was framed in a million chestnut pin-curls with the cutest finger waves on her forehead. Very understated antique diamond earrings and matching necklace brought sparkle to her eyes. A plain black sequined gown, tight fit, low cut but still modest, with a simple slit and a hemline just above the ankle.
The most precious black & silver sandals accentuated her beautiful ankles and feet.
Long black gloves and a tiny clutch bag completed the look.
The entire room came to a standstill. Clearly Cinderella had arrived at the ball.
Years later at a reunion we had still reveled in the magic & satisfaction of that night. I had to ask her where she got her ideas from. She simply said ‘’Aida Average of Super Suzie – if you are going to be there, be the only one there’’. Plan, plan, prepare, prepare some more and then execute.
Matric Farewell is a marathon, not a sprint. In this series, I will try to give you a lay-man’s guide to a wonderful evening.

Keep watching!

Ciao Bella!

• Not her real name.

31/12/2024

With Trou Idees: Troues & Funksies – I just made it onto their weekly engagement list by being one of their top engagers! 🎉

31/12/2024

Mag 2025 vir een en elkeen voorspoed, goeie gesondheid, hope lag en pret en geluk bring. Met liefde Gert

My prayer is that 2025 wil bring each and everyone tons of prosperity, healh, heaps of fun and laughter and happiness. With love Gert

28/12/2024

Girls & ''girls''. Coming soon: all the do's and don'ts for your Matric Dance. A complete guide on how to make it unforgettable in every sense of the word.

Watch this space!

28/10/2024

With the_i_do_guy_sa – I just got recognized as one of their top fans! 🎉

24/10/2024

With Trou Idees: Troues & Funksies – I just made it onto their weekly engagement list by being one of their top engagers! 🎉
A BIG thank you!

22/10/2024

🥂Veels geluk Mnr en Mev Jakes & Mercia Louw. In die huwelik bevestig op 21 September 2024. Mag julle geluk en liefde geen perke ken nie. Alles van die beste!🥂

22/10/2024

Jou droomrok is binne jou bereik! Ek maak eksklusiewe bespoke rokke en aanddrag binne jou begroting. Kontak my nou vir 'n gratis konsultasie, voorlopige kwotasies ens. verskeie betaalopsies beskikbaar. Met liefde Gert 076 093 0598

17/10/2024

Sarie se Matriekafskeikrok kompetisie is witwarm. Stem nou asb vir Kayla-Lee Verster

Kayla-lee Verster Fochville Hoërskool Deel: Kort verduideliking oor jou rok of ontwerpkeuse Ek het altyd gedroom om soos 'n Disney Prinses te voel .Ek wou ook graag stylvol ,klassiek en tog ook modern voel. Skool se matriekafskeid bygewoon? Fochville Wat was jou inspirasie vir jou matriekafskeidrok...

02/10/2024

Sume Potgieter is 'n klassieke skoonheid. Stralend sien sy uit na die aand se avontuur.

02/10/2024

Pragtige tweelingsussies saam op hulle Matriekafskeid. The world is your oyster - go into life and enjoy every bit of it!

02/10/2024

With Trou Idees: Troues & Funksies – I just made it onto their weekly engagement list by being one of their top engagers! 🎉
Thank you!!

28/09/2024

Ladies & Gentleman: Introducing Ms Eeileen Allison who was invited to a Matric Ball. She had an amazing time, looking splendid with her very handsome date.

27/09/2024

When a beautiful girl, gentle, soft spoken and clever comes along, it is easy to design something that highlights her best features. A true ''English Rose'', Danelle Botes.

26/09/2024

Die mooiste mooi is die meisie wat weet hoe om 'n pragtige rok te dra. Kayla-Lee Verster jy was skitterend!