Friday finds

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Today is the start of a long weekend here - yay!

We've got quite a packed social schedule – a birthday dinner tonight, friends over on Saturday, lunch with family on Sunday for my brother’s birthday and a looong overdue catch up with other friends on Monday. It doesn't look like I'm going to get much of a chance to sleep in...

Here's my reading list of Friday finds for the long weekend:

- I’ve just started reading Lean In. I know I'm a little behind on this one, but I really am enjoying it. I’m trying to convince my husband to read it too, purely from a management and business perspective, not from a feminist one. It's one of those books where I find I want to underline certain phrases to review later, as they ring so true. But mine's a borrowed copy so I can't!

Sheryl Sandberg’s take on trying to achieve a balance between career, work and parenting is quite encouraging. I’m only a third through the book, but her point that the current portrayal of working or professional women as harried and guilt-ridden “make women unnecessarily fearful by presenting life’s challenges as insurmountable” (p24) really struck a chord with me. 

That's all they are, challenges. And it's up to you to find a solution that works for you. 

But also, for someone who has was described in performance reviews during my corporate life as being ‘too nice’ the following really rang true: “When you want to change things, you can’t please everyone. If you do please everyone, you aren’t making enough progress.” (p51).

- On another female-focused note, this video was launched by Dove this week, discussing the beauty legacy we leave for our daughters simply by the things we may say, unintentionally or in passing, about our appearance. Most moms of girls I know of acutely aware of this, but it’s always good to be reminded. 

- I have to tell you about my houseplant obsession! I've been working on doing a bit of decorating in our living area. Our most-used space has recently received a new rug and chairs. But still on the list are a couple of indoor plants. Follow my Pinterest feed for more lovely indoor plants.  

- And if you’re in Johannesburg and thinking of what to do next weekend (I find August just stretches out forever, so long and dusty before all the exciting weekend activities of spring start next month) there is still time to get tickets for the Johannesburg Youth Ballet's production of Peter and the Wolf at the University of Johannesburg's Art Centre Theatre. 

Have a lovely weekend, wherever you are!