I was absolutely overwhelmed by the response I received on Ask me Anything. Thank you for the questions. I have taken some time to answer these…so here goes:

How do you make your vanilla tea?

This was by far the most popular question I received. I don’t know what it is about a good cup of tea, but it makes me happy. I love drinking normal tea and Vanilla Tea and some herbal teas. I wish I could drink Rooibos because I know how good it is for you, but I can’t wrap my taste buds around it.

I drink my tea with skim milk and no sugar. Vanilla tea is actually a black tea but I don’t like it that way. I find adding the skim milk enhances the vanilla flavour.

I recorded a funny little video…

Any tea brand that you like the most?

Normal tea = Five Roses

Vanilla Tea = Twinings and Bois Cheri from Mauritius. Love.

How would you describe your fashion?

I dress depending on my mood. There are days when I literally grab whatever is on top of my folded laundry pile in my wardrobe and days when I put a lot of effort in. I always like to look good though – it makes me feel good. I’m generally the jeans or leggings with a cute top and ballet pumps or heels kinda gal. Accessories are a must for me. I love hats, scarves, earrings, eye catching necklaces, bangles, bracelets, rings and handbags.

I LOVE the Bohemian look  -it takes a lot of effort to pull the look off though. I love the glamourous look too with cocktail dresses and heels, but I generally wear those to the events and functions I attend.

Who is your ultimate fashion rolemode/style icon?

I love Nicole Richie. She pulls off the Bohemian look beautifully. I love how she always looks so effortlessly gorgeous.

What beauty products do you u use on your skin?

I absolutely ADORE beauty products and I am always looking for that “miracle” product. To be honest there are always so many new products on the market with their sneaky gorgeous packaging, that I just have to try it. I hardly ever use the same products over and over, BUT I’ll give you some of my firm faves that are normally in my bathroom.

I love the Environ range. I have combination skin so it really laps it up.

I use the Victoria Garden exfoliator in Apricot and Walnut and their carrot and elderflower eye cream.

The Estee Lauder Active Night Repair serum is also a firm favourite.

The Bioderma range for Combination/Oily skin is a winner.

At the moment, I’m trying the Neutrogena Pink Grapefruit facial wash at the moment. It’s so fresh and lovely.

See what I mean? I like to try them all.

What is your favourite shopping centre and shop?

Oh no… you can’t make me choose. I like Sandton City purely because their selection is so massive, but not a fan of the parking. Clearwater Mall is also a great mall for selection, but a bit of a drive.

I love all different stores depending on what I need, like: YDE, Zoom Shoes, Rage, Woolworths, Pick n Pay The Nicol, Poetry, @Home, Mr. Price Home, Diva Jewelry stores, Exclusive books, stationary stores and so on…

If your life was turned into a movie which actress would play you?

I really relate to Kate Hudson’s fun, bubbly personality. I think she is awesome. Looks wise, probably Katherine Heigl. Either way – it would be pretty flattering, no?

If you could travel anywhere where would you go?

On the top of my list is New York. I’ve never actually been to the States, but New York is a place that is calling me. I have this vision of standing in the hustle and bustle of Times Square with a cup of Star Bucks coffee (we don’t get it in South Africa) and it’s snowing. I can’t explain it…that vision has been in my head for years.

I’d also love to travel Europe – like Paris, Italy and so on. I’d love to go to Bali, Thailand etc and experience that culture.

South Africa is still one of my favourite places to travel. Very blessed to live in this amazing country. I’d love to go back to St. Francis Bay…we used to have a beach home there and I haven’t been back in years.

What was your dream job when you were growing up?

Right from a little girl, I knew I wanted to be in entertainment. As a little girl I wanted to be a singer. I would stand in front of the mirror, hairbrush in hand as my microphone singing my heart out to Belinda Carlisle. I then went through a phase at a very unfortunate time in my life. In Grade 9 we had to choose the subjects we would take for Matric, our final school year. I was in love with the TV series ER and decided I was going to be a doctor. I automatically took Math, Science, Biology and so on. How do I put this sweetly? I totally and utterly suck at Math and Science. They were long high school years.

It was when I was 15/16 that I realized exactly what I wanted to do. I really did want to be in entertainment – in broadcasting. I wasn’t sure how I was going to become a Radio and TV presenter, but I set my mind, heart and soul to my dream.
What is ONE thing you’d NEVER trade for anything?

I would NEVER trade anything for my family. I have the best family in the world. I truly have been blessed. My mom, dad and sister have shaped me into the person I am today. They have taught me my values, my manners and encouraged me to be the best I can be. We are incredibly close and rock solid. Nothing and no one could ever come in between the Schneider’s. That is the most incredible thing for me.

What brings you pure joy?

How long have you got? Switching on the microphone every day going ON AIR, walking into a sound booth and recording a voice over, hearing a child’s laugh – it’s magical, sipping on a good cup of tea, fitting into those jeans, my family, my friends, B+K moments with my soul sister and best friend Karolina… she knows me better than I know myself sometimes. My G… he just brings me such joy and has rocked my world. Laughing – oh my gosh I love laughing. Being wrapped up inside while listening to a thunderstorm, writing my blog – it’s nearly a year since I started it and I really love writing the posts. Sitting outside in a gorgeous garden with a good book. Lying on the beach and watching the ocean – it rejuvenates my soul. I could go on and on…

I really do try to find joy in the little things in life…even the mundane things. It makes life sweeter, no?

What is your advice on relationships?

Relationships are here to teach us things about our lives and ourselves. To be perfectly honest I have had some really terrible relationships and some good ones too. The best advice that I have learned so far is to trust your gut. If you are truly honest with yourself, you will always know exactly what and who is right for you and who isn’t. It’s not about going with what you think you want…but what you feel is right. Sometimes your head has a logical thought process based on society or what people think you should do and sometimes your heart is all warm, fuzzy, giddy and in love/lust…but if you truly listen to that feeling in the pit of your tummy you can’t go wrong. Sometimes the gut feeling isn’t what you want to feel…but it’s the first sign.

Listen to yourself and be honest with yourself. You’ve been given intuition and a 6th sense for a reason.

The cliches are there for a reason. If he treats his mom badly, he will treat you badly. Simple.

Emotional, physical and mental abuse is NEVER OK and no… he will never change. I’m sorry but it’s true. Abusers are normally the most insecure people who need to put you down to make themselves feel better. Take your power back and get away.

People in your life should encourage, support you, love you for you -quirks, warts and all, so be yourself, live your truth. The people should enhance your life, not deplete it.

Something I’ve learned is that no one can complete you. You need to be comfortable in your own skin and be your own person first. Someone should compliment you, not complete you.

How did you meet your G and how did he approach you?

It’s true what they say…when you’re NOT looking, you meet the one.

We actually met on the MSC Sinfonia Cruise. My best friend Karolina and I went on the 4 day cruise to the Mozambique, Portuguese Islands to get away from it all and have yet another awesome B+K moment.

Greg was on the cruise with his family celebrating his mom and dad’s 30 wedding anniversary. The first night Karolina and I went for dinner and met a journalist Carly. We quickly became friends. After dinner, Karolina and Carly dragged me to go for a few drinks at the Pasha Disco. I honestly, wanted to go back to the suite, order dessert room service and fall asleep. I promised I’d go for one drink.

As we walked into the club we were just looking around at the setup. I noticed a guy across the room standing with some people…I first noticed his blonde curls and saw him laughing – one of those laughs that come from the soul. Anyway, Carly then came into the club, scanned the place and made a beeline straight for the group. She knew them and introduced us. We hit it off instantly, have a connection that is just unbelievable and have been together ever since.

By the way, that one drink turned into K and I getting back to our suite at 04h30.

If you could go back into the past to any event or time period & you would not be seen (you would be a silent observer) – where would you go to & why?

I’d love to go back to my mom and dad’s wedding day on the 26 May 1979. I think it would be magical to be a silent observer and see how their love story began.

I’d love to go back to any time where I could spend time with my grandmother again. I miss her every day. Even if I had to be a silent observer, I’d take it just to see her again.

As for a time period, I’d love to go to the Victorian Age. I’m fascinated by it… imagine living in a time where you wore those gorgeous dresses (OK, maybe minus the rib cracking corsets), you were courted, had love letters written to you and were chaperoned on dates (imagine!)

I would like to know how I could get into doing voice over work?

Hmmm… My best advice is to get yourself onto a website like www.voicebank.co.za where you can record your voice doing mock adverts. You’ll need to showcase your vocal talents in a soft sell, hard sell, corporate sell, accents and so on. Most advertisers log onto the website looking for new voices.

That is a great way to start and then as you start to get more voice over experience, you can get an agent.

Good Luck.

What advice do you have for a 20 something overweight girl like me? How can I walk with confidence, dress beautifully without looking like a tent and then shed some weight as well.

We live in a society where looks are important. It’s not that it’s necessarily shallow, it’s just human nature. I know this is cliched, but it’s true… beauty does come from within…but lets not sugar coat it… that doesn’t help when you’re not feeling good about the outside.

Weight can come down to a number of things…

1) Physical: Eating badly and not exercising.

2) Medical: Thyroid problems, diabetes, insulin resistance and so on.

3) Emotional: It can be emotional where you are holding onto the weight to “protect” yourself.

I’d suggest getting yourself checked by a doctor first and then know this: There is only one way to lose weight… it’s something that I’ve really struggled to accept, but I have finally come to terms with the fact that there really is no magical pill and no fad diet that will make you lose the weight and more importantly keep the weight off. Eating right and exercising is the simple, natural way to do it. It’s not easy in a world full of fast food, processed food and desserts, but if losing weight was easy there wouldn’t be weight issues, right? Exercising is also important. I suggest following the Low GI eating plan. Try not to see it as a diet, but rather as a healthy lifestyle. Eat lots of veges, lean protein and keep your carbohydrates to a minimum by making sure you eat the right carbohydrates that are good for you. As for dressing beautifully, it’s important to dress for your body shape. Bigger people tend to wear bigger clothes thinking it will hide their weight, when in fact it actually makes you look bigger than you are and gives you the “tent affect.” Accentuate the things you do like about yourself. If you like your legs, show them, if you like your shoulders wear pretty tops that accentuate them. I really don’t like my tummy. You’ll never find me wearing waist hugging clothes… but I like my arms and my legs, so I’ll accentuate those instead.

Dark colours are always slimming, but be careful that you don’t look like you’re in mourning or emo 😉 Bright accessories help too. It’s all about the confidence. Put those sexy heels on, your favourite lip gloss and hold your head up high. You really are beautiful and you need to appreciate yourself more. Best of luck.

1. This post officially goes into the Vanilla Blonde Records for being the longest time it has ever taken me to write a post…. PLUS… I had originally done the entire post and nothing saved…not even on autosave. I LOST E.V.E.R.Y.T.H.I.N.G … Let me just say I created swear words and found a new vein in my neck. It pulses. Not pretty.

The most frustrating thing ever…so I had to start all over again.

Hope you have an amazing weekend… this is THE SPECIAL WEEKEND! My Happy Dance has become Happy Somersaults.