It's Friday and I...

... hate photo-bombers! Seriously. Who is that guy?

... should hear the outcome from Playboy SA soon!

... had some errors with Blogger, but I'm back online and will still blog about the Playboy dinner at Zorgvliet! Rather late than never!

... am so in love with Lady Gaga's new song, Judas.

... was a judge last night at a local high school for their annual pageant! It was so much fun, but really hard to choose just one! I use to take part in that exact competition back in the day! Memories. Gotta love it.

... feel like a change. So I'm gonna start small by putting highlights in my hair.

... have started a Friday tradition: herbal tea and a salad at Java in Stellenbosch with my cousin. Stellenbosch is my happy place.

... want you to enter the NoMU poster competition! Head to the Engen on Orange, look out for the NoMU poster, do a funky pose next to it (be creative), take a photo and mail it to entries@nomu.co.za. And voila, Bob's your uncle. ONE person can win some serious prizes. I'm talking R40 000 in prizes. You have 11 days left to enter! Do it. Do it for the pin-up girls and guy who can't enter this awesome competition!

... have been asked to pose for Breast Cancer Awareness again, but this time I'm involving other women too to do a group photo. The message being carried across is 'women supporting each other'.

... have postponed my Johannesburg trip, but I will visit real soon. Promise.

... am back at gym in full swing, doing loads of cardio, weights, stretching, sauna- and yoga sessions! Let's hope the health binge lasts.

... find that if I browse through pictures of hot models, it motivates me to get in shape and it keeps me focussed with my eye set on the prize. Try it.

... am off to indulge in my newest tradition.

Happy Friday folks!

Taking it off for Breast Cancer Awareness!

This is a cause that I'm very proud and honoured to be a part of - Breast Cancer Awareness. I was approached by the Breast Cancer Association (BCA) in Johannesburg to pose topless and, even though I was a bit inhibited at the idea of posing completely topless, I really wanted to support this worthy cause and help women who are diagnosed with breast cancer. 

How it works: the BCA organises events in the United Kingdom where all the photos from the shoots are auctioned. The photos which are sold at the auction, goes into a Breast Cancer Awareness calendar and all the money raised goes to women, here in South Africa, with breast cancer who can't afford to pay for the necessary operations to have the cancerous tissue removed (read more about the surgery here). And as you know, if the cancerous tissues aren't detected and removed early, it can spread to other parts of the body. The photos aren't just about topless girls, but about capturing the true beauty of being a women, the beauty of having healthy breasts and about being comfortable in your own skin.

I couldn't fly up to Johannesburg for the shoot, but arranged one in Cape Town with the help of photographer Naco Rautenbach and make-up artist Michelle Dickman. Usually the shoots are done in a studio and the girls wear only jeans, but I wanted to add my own touch to it. I wanted to have it done in a forest and decided on the beautiful Helderberg Nature Reserve, and they were more than willing to assist. I also didn't want to pose in jeans, but went with a pink sarong instead. In some photos I'm completely nude, but we used objects in nature to make it as tasteful as possible, like standing against a tree or covering the bits with leaves and twigs. Even though you don't see me completely nude, in reality, I was walking around in a forest in my birthday suit. What's it like to pose nude or topless? It's very daunting, yet very liberating at the same time. I was shy, but after 10min I felt completely comfortable and at one with nature. After about 2 hours of shooting, we got about 20 really great photos, of which four will be auctioned. The photos came out very very nice and Naco exceeded my expectation yet again. He captured exactly what the BCA had envisioned and they are also very pleased with the outcome. I decided on a very natural make-up and Michelle did a wonderful job creating the look, which the BCA also totally loved.

Here are some behind the scenes.

07h00 and freezing outside.

Getting ready to shoot. I took Johlene with to assist with lighting and for moral support.

We chose a very isolated spot. It was very peaceful in the forest. Beautiful.

I had to keep my shoes on because you never know what you might step in. Shoes aren't in the professional shots.

As you can see, covered with twigs, though, it can easily be mistaken for something else...

And the final product! I can only share these with you as the rest are exclusive to the BCA.

A big thank you to the BCA for making me a part of your project; Naco Rautenbach for the photography (he is definitely my new favourite photographer); Michelle for doing my make-up (I love your work); Johlene for assisting me at the shoot and the Helderberg Nature Reserve for being so helpful.

J

(Do not use images without permission)

It's Friday and I...

... am taking it off for a photo shoot in aid of Breast Cancer Awareness!

... just want everyone to know that it's not a 'career move', but that I truly support this cause from the bottom of my heart and if I can raise money to pay for the operations (to remove the cancer tissue in breasts before it spreads to other parts in the body) just by taking my top off, then I'll do it! Screw those who believe otherwise.

... know my decision has created some controversy, but my mind's made up!
... am looking forward to working with Naco Rautenbach (photographer) and Michelle Dickman (make-up artist) again!
... decided on a forest for the shoot, seeing that the Breast Cancer Association gave me free range.

... am in a small fashion show tomorrow! Kinda excited. It's been ages since I last walked the ramp.

... will be in the Rapport newspaper again on Sunday, along with two other hopefuls who won in previous weeks, with voting details. Please vote for me! The winner will be 'Miss June' in their 2012 calendar.

... can also be voted for in the FHM 100 Sexiest, by sms'ing SEXY YOLANDI MALHERBE to 34973. Just by voting, you stand in line to win some fab prizes!

... have two blog posts coming soon! One about the KFM Kday (rather late than never) and the other about our cooking lesson with chef, Neill Anthony.

... have my money on the Stormers tomorrow. They are playing at Newlands against the Western Force. I will be watching the game at Newlands in the Evox Box.  
... did an interview with MojoDojo earlier this week. Have a look here if you haven't seen it yet. New photos of me are also in their site, plus a free wallpaper which you can download in high-res. From me, with love.
... am going to try and gym tonight. Yes, it seems this socialite is calming down, but don't get too use to it!

Happy Friday! Jeez, can't believe the week went by so quick!
J

It's Friday and I...

… love pouting, but Paris is doing it wrong. Fail.
... wrote my 100th blog post today!
… want to do more link exchanges with other cool blogs. Inbox me if you’re interested.
… am wearing pink today to show my support for breast cancer awareness.
... have also painted my nails in soft marshmallow pink!
… am donating blood again today. What a good girl I am.
… am announcing the winners of my giveaway, which closed yesterday, over the weekend.
… went lingerie shopping, but this time at Wonderbra.
... am not liking this gloomy weather in Cape Town today!
... cannot wait to get the weekend started!
... am going to Blaauwberg this weekend, so I'm sure to take some super photos for me bloggy.

Have a fabulous weekend my darlings and play nice!

Jemma