Our fab February cover star Leanne Manas, wife, mom, and as we know her, Morning Live presenter shares what she’ll be doing for Valentine’s Day this year, as well as all the simple things that make her life richer.
We love celebrating Valentine’s Day with a home-cooked meal. Before the kids came along, Marc and I would go all out, but the novelty of sitting in overcrowded restaurants waiting for a meal that’s been rushed out of the kitchen has worn off. Marc’s specialty is seafood, so he’ll braai up a mouth-watering spread for us all to enjoy, and we’ll exchange gifts that, to be honest, have become a lot more practical over the years!
My most memorable Valentine’s Day was a picnic under the stars. It was at the Joburg Country Club a couple of years ago. They projected an old movie on the big screen, and we lay back on a blanket, tucking into snacks from our picnic basket and sipping on sparkling wine. It was truly a night to remember.
It’s so much fun seeing things again through my kids’ eyes. Marc and I have done a lot of travelling together, so we’ve seen it all before, but it’s all new to the kids. We always look for places with kids activities, because otherwise we get very little rest! During holidays, we’ll go down to Zimbali in kwaZulu-Natal or up to Madikwe Game Reserve in the North West.
There’s no better feeling than taking off my make-up at the end of the day. When I was on leave over Christmas, I took full advantage and only wore make-up three times for special occasions. I don’t feel insecure without make-up. It’s a bit of a relief, actually, because I have heavy heaps of it on for Morning Live every day.
I’m more of a pants and blouse than a dress woman. But whatever I wear, my main concern is comfort. On the weekends, you’ll most likely find me in a pair of linen pants with a loose casual top and sandals.
Surround yourself with people who inspire you. If you look for qualities in them you wish you had, they’ll start wearing off on you. Some people are born confident, but others have to work on it. If you aren’t naturally confident, like I was as a young girl, push yourself out of your comfort zone – voice your opinions, share your ideas, and it’s just a matter of time before you’ll start valuing yourself more, and your confidence with soar.
