Mr & Mrs Van Aardt | 6 December 2014

Lisa-Marie and Tremaine tied the knot on the 6th December 2014 in Mthatha where Lisa is from. I must say from the moment I met with Lisa til the last moment when I saw them, I enjoyed photographing this wedding. This wedding was filled with laughs and joy, exactly what a wedding should be, a happy moment.

No wedding is 100% perfect and when problems arose, Lisa's mother still managed to make us laugh and make the problem seem tiny in comparison to the happiness which should be shared. Tremaine kept smiling when he looked at Lisa, he couldn't hide how happy he was and how inlove he was with her. Lisa kept stealing kisses at very chance with a little giggle which showed how inlove she was. Tremaine at one point even told Lisa that the most important part of the day is that they are now married and nothing makes him happier than knowing that they are now husband and wife.

The love shared between Tremaine and Lisa is priceless and definitely immeasurable.

Marriage is the union of two people who love each other and can't see their lives without each other. A wedding is a time when friends and family come together to help celebrate your union. Love is what should be shown not only in the exciting times but also in the times when times get hard and things seem impossible.

May you'lls marriage be blessed with everything your hearts desire, may you see many years of happiness and may you always stand together as a team no matter what life throws at you both.

 

 

Definitely a fun loving couple... all the best for the future Mr & Mrs Aardt

Till next time...

Ayesha

xoxo

Blueberry Hill Café | 8 January 2015

At first I thought my sister is totally crazy to have us drive all the way to the Midlands for just Cheese Cake especially the face that she was post-call... well, let me tell you, this isn't JUST Cheese Cake. This is the best freak'n Cheese Cake EVER!

Welcome to Blueberry Hill Café

Set in the tranquil valleys of the Midlands Meander, along the Nottingham Road. This place is home to the best Cheese Cake I've ever had, if you know me, you would know I'm very fussy when it comes to cheese cake. I simply don't eat cheese cake because I've had some really bad tasting ones. When my sister came up with this idea of diving +-30mins just to have cheese cake, I was originally not keen until she kept persisting that I would not regret it.

So off we went, I didn't realise how far we would have to drive until we got the place and she whipped out a map and showed me how far we drove.

Below are a few pictures of the set up at the place...

A panoramic view of the back of Blueberry Café

After a very healthy meal... and cheese cake I thought I'd relax and have a glass of water while enjoying the view

And last but not least... here's a slice for the most amazing cheese cake ever!

What's is really awesome about this place is that we met the manager (Chris) and jokingly asked him for the recipe to this delectable beauty... and he willingly just told us exactly how it's made... fancy that!

You can visit their website on http://www.blueberrycafe.co.za/ 

for more info in terms of directions etc.

Have a fabulous day further

xoxo

Café LANG Coffee Shop | Mthatha

Café LANG is a family-owned business established on the 30th October 2008 by four sisters Lesty, Antoinette, Nikki and Gen.

I first went to Café LANG in February 2009 when they were still based at their previous premises in Delville Road. I was quite sceptical but yet excited to see this coffee shop a friend had told me about. It was a lovely summers day, as I walked up the stairs into the coffee shop, I was greeted with a warm welcome by a lady named Sibu (Sibu was with Café LANG from the beginning but unfortunately passed away last year), she seemed nervous at first but settled in quite fast. I remember ordering  a cup of cappuccino and a slice of chocolate cake. While waiting for my order I was approached by Nikki, she introduced herself and welcomed me to Café LANG. She had this big smile on her face and I felt right at home. This soon became my favourite hang out spot for… coffee and cake hahaha
 

Years later I realised that everyone is brought into your life for a reason and knowing Nikki and her sisters has been nothing but awesome. The moment you step foot into Café LANG you are received with big warm smiles from Nikki and her team and your mood is immediately uplifted to the point where  you have absolutely no option but to leave smiling.

 

 

“Our coffee shop is set in a tranquil spot, where you can escape from the hectic lifestyle of everyday pressures and be warmly welcomed by Nikki and her team”

This has become my favourite coffee shop because these ladies have made God the foundation of their business coupled with good hearts making this a successful and inspirational place to be. Every morning they have a “thought for the day” on their black board as you enter, they offer thee best Red Velvet cake and lemon meringue, nothing beats feeling uplifted emotionally and spiritually by simply being in the presence of someone who owes you nothing but brings you peace and gives you hope.

 

 

So pop on over to Café LANG in Park Road (Mthatha) and see for yourself why this is such an awesome place to be :) 

GIVEAWAY!!! For TODAY ONLY (8 July 2014)... Starting at 11:00am, when you order a beverage or meal (sit down only) you will receive a FREE slice of CHOCOLATE CAKE compliments of ME in celebration of AVS Photography turning 4 years old this month.

P.S - Don't forget to mention that you saw this post on facebook/blogger - 1 slice per person, 8 slices available :)

 xoxo

Ayesha

Lonwabo & Bongeka’s Wedding | 26 April 2014 | Dans Country Lodge

Introducing my super-awesome-keen for anything couple.

April being such a crazy month for photographers, Lonwabo & Bongi knew that they had to book way in advance… and so they did… 9 Months in advance! I first met the couple when they came for their pre-wedding pictures earlier this year, they were keen for any of my ideas – nature reserve included. Its not often photographers get to meet their couples so far in advance and get a feel for what the couple would like. Lonwabo & Bongi are from Cape Town so most arrangements were done via email and whatsapp.

Lonwabo and Bongi got married at the scenic Dans Country Lodge about 22km’s out of Mthatha and had the perfect weather.

The following Monday morning they got suited up once more to have some awesome pictures taken at an old church and long the railway line in Mthatha.

I cant wait to meet this this couple on the 10th year anniversary or even 20th year anniversary :)

 

Blood Donation | 1st Time | Harcourts Mthatha

My Monday morning started off a bit crazy because I had sooooo much to do and while getting things done I get a whatsapp message from Nella at Harcourts Mthatha, it read "Blood Drive at Harcourts Mthatha today between 9am and 3pm". I had seen the poster last week and was thinking "hmmm... maybe I should go for it" here's the picture they posted on their facebook page

So there I was at Café LANG to drop off a few flyers and to get a slice of their awesome Red Velvet Cake (a must have if you haven't had it yet). I told Nikki (one of the owners of Café LANG) that I was considering going to donate blood at Harcourts (just down the road from Café LANG) and she said I should do it because its an amazing feeling and two of her staff member had also gone to donate.... I decided to take a drive passed Harcourts, I parked outside their yard and sat thinking for a few minutes about whether I really want to do this.

All sorts of thoughts went through my mind about how my sister had told me that the needle is huge and that they take about 500ml of blood. My mind was racing and while thinking of all these things... I found myself greeting Nella and Devyn at the Harcourts door. They both thanked me for coming but I was still not sure whether I am going to go through with it.

Anyway I approached the lady from SANBS who gave me a pamphlet to read then said I should fill out the form if I agree and understand what was written on the pamphlet. I nodded and she passed me the form. I stopped and asked the SANBS man next to me "how much blood are you taking" she giggled and replied "about 475ml" I was relieved coz it was 25ml less than what my sister told me and that made the worlds difference in my mind. I then turned and asked the SANBS lady across me "I hear the needle is quite big, how big is it?" she said "it is big but not thaaat big" I once was again relieved. She asked if I was nervous and I didn't hesitate and responded with a huge nodding of my head. She smiled and said "the more nervous you are the more it will scare you and it might just hurt" I thought about it and said "ok I'll calm down while filling the forms out" she agreed. I filled the forms out and handed them to her. She signed them and told me to take them to the bus that was a few feet away.

I walked to the bus, handed the forms over to the SANBS lady inside who I recognised from earlier when I told them about my knee injury and the meds I had taken for it. I was slightly relieved to see Devyn in the bus already giving blood.

I can honestly say the most sore thing was the prick on my finger for the iron test, which they lady said wouldn't be sore but told me afterwards that she was joking coz she knew I'd probably not want to do it LOL which is actually very true! I then laid down on the bed and watched the man prepare the area where he would insert the needle, which he got the needle I looked away and told him to tell me when he was done... he said "Don't worry it doesn't take long, and there you go, its done" I was like... you can't be serious! I was preparing myself to scream from the pain. It was painless! I must admit though I was shaking non stop until the last drop!

And just like that it was over, he was putting a plaster on and I was fit to go. I put a brave face on and went to have a glass of juice and those awesome biscuits.... that they only give you three of hmmm... LOL. I was then good to go with my certificate below:

I then went to thank the Harcourts team for having the blood drive, and to show off my certificate hehe...

Below is a picture of my arm

Below is my reward (half-eaten) Red Velvet Cake

 

 

Last remarks: Donating blood was well worth it, knowing that I helped save someone's life by just giving the few millilitres I have made a difference in someone's life, in someone's family's life. Donating blood is not as scary as people make it out to be, its actually quite fun, there are people there along the way making sure that you are ok. You walk away with a little wiggle in your step and that warm fuzzy feel good feeling. Please don't walk away if you feel dizzy... LOL only kidding. Walk away proud and come back 60 days later to give a little more *wink*

Thanks again Harcourts Mthatha for the little push *smile*

 

Wiggle wiggle

Giggle giggle

Big smiles