Durban_Central

THIS KID IS LIKE THE HUMAN EQUIVLANT OF GLITTER.

2011-11-10T15:00:00.001+02:00

Do yourself a favour, let this baby load, gather everyone in your office around your computer and hit play. This little kid is so frikken insanely hilarious. She will make you all laugh out loud in an embarrassing way- but it's so funny so you won't mind. Someone might actually snort or pass out, who knows what will happen. Either way it is going to make your heart feel all warm and fuzzy and your mouth all grinny and your cheeks hurt.

THOUGHT OF THE DAY

2011-11-07T10:00:00.000+02:00

O MAGAZINE TEA PARTY 2011

2011-11-06T17:23:00.000+02:00

A Couple of weeks ago this little baby landed in my Inbox! I was super chuffed to have cracked the nod and immediately seized the opportunity to go out and buy myself a beautiful dress. The event was really beautifully put together and no detail was left unattended to. As the event was sponsored by 1st for Women, the organisers did not fail to add as much pink as humanely possible in every nook and cranny of Simon's, so on arrival, guests were met with a Summery explosion of pinks in every hue imaginable, glorious clutches of blooms took residence on every and any flat surface. I immediately grabbed a cocktail and stepped into wonderland to explore. This is what I found.... Dotted around the courtyard were pamper stations to satisfy your every need from a Sally Hansen Nail bar for manicures, Elizabeth Arden for Make up touch ups, Mangwenani spa provided orgasmic foot rubs. Moirs provided a very chic Waiter equipped with a silver tray over flowing with delicious biscuits for us girls to much on in between our grueling pampering sessions! The ladies literally wanted for nothing! Once all the guests had arrived, we were ushered into a banquet hall, draped in flowers and chrystal where a tasty buffet lunch was enjoyed and prizes were won. Once all the girls had had their fair share of civilised behaviour, Lloyd Cwele burst onstage and turned the once ladylike guests into giggling, girating school girls. All in all the event was really fun, it was a great excuse to dust off my hat which I so seldom get the opportunity to wear, to eat as much cake as I wanted because, well, that is what you do at a tea party and to meet a super bunch of independent, successful women.

The goodie bags were completely insane. They weighed a ton and were packed with everything from Toothpaste to Miglio earrings. O magazine sure knows how to spoil a girl!

FANCY A MINI BREAK FOR YOU AND YOUR LOVER?

2011-10-25T13:04:00.001+02:00

I don't know about you, but a mini-break to Alluvia Specialist Winery for two sounds pretty splendid to me. You could stay at home for the weekend, you know, to do that admin you were planning to do, sort out your recycling, do the low carbon emissions green thing where you only ride a bike or walk everywhere for a weekend, or you could click here, answer a simple question, probably win and spend the weekend getting sloshed with your lover in Stellies. But I am not going to force you...

THULE 4 PEAKS MOUNTAIN CHALLENGE 2011

2011-10-24T23:48:00.001+02:00

Every now and then an experience comes along that changes your life. The life changer for me came in the form of the Thule 4 Peaks Challenge. About 3 years ago I stumbled upon some gorgeous piccies taken at the race by a friend of mine and was completely blown away by the beauty of the scenery that is the canvas for this epic adventure ... I vowed on that very day that I would get off my ass, buy myself some sweet trail shoes and get my bootay all over that mountain. This was the race that got me going in the beginning.

I am not one of those runners who wears one of those heart rate monitors or races my mates hoping to smash their Regent's time. For me it is not about the competition. I am the kind of runner who sees a beautiful picture, taken at the top of a mountain and wants to be there, just so I can see what it feels like. I run so that I can be fit enough to push my body up and over 4 mountain peaks; so that I can experience what it is like to stand on top of Peak 4 knowing that I got there, by myself with nothing but this picture for company. For me, trail running has become more of a religion than a sport. It is a way of life and a very very special thing in which to immerse oneself.

When it comes to big races and goals, I am a firm believer in choosing a team-mate to suffer through all the training and slog with you. That way when it is pelting down cats and dogs, you have someone to ~~drink wine with~~ whine at while your shoes get all soggy and snot is running all over your face (sad but true) and also someone to help your motivation levels in the whole getting your ass out of bed category. That is where Storm comes in.

Now, neither Storm nor I were serious mountain smashing athletes before the race (just so you can understand that this race is not only for the likes of Mr Ryan Sandes and his crazy posse of Tarahumara style mates) That's the beauty of it. Any man, woman, dog who is into adventuring can enter this race and have a bloody spectacular time conquering it. On entering, each person receives a training schedule to which you can tailor your own vibes so a) you will not perish alone on a mountain in the Free State and b) you will be fit enough to actually enjoy the crazy, crazy views in every direction around you. (as well as some of the bums that come running by :)

The athletes pour into the little town of Ficksburg (totally worth a visit just for the people-watching) the day before the conquering, for a rad dinner + race briefing. While Storm and I ploughed our way through a delicious mountain of macaroni cheese seasoned with potatoes, Adrian Saffy (Race Director) talked us through our race briefing. He may or may not have used the words, treacherous, near death and broken legs more than once but who knows, the realisation of what Storm and I and our beautifully painted fingernails had gotten ourselves into had just hit so we were too busy shaking in our Salomon ~~sLABS~~ Sunset shoes to worry about silly things like the route and all that other nonsense!. We thought we were toast. The fact that hurricane Katrina had sent her bitchy sister to visit the neighborhood that night contributed quite dramatically to my sense of imminent and really shitty death, alone, on a mountain, in the Free State.

The morning of the race we awoke to the sound of PHEW! Yea, that is the sound of rain not smashing down followed by relief. We insinuated ourselves into our race gear and headed straight for the start-line filled with a wierd mixture of terror and wild excitement (probably the only time in my life that I have heard Storm not talking - EVER.)

Jumpng out of the car, we were met with the sound of happiness and excitement, something that immediately calmed us two tarts down. The athletes were buzzing around, getting kit checked, funneling down as much hot Milo as possible (it was flippin' cold) and generally just getting into 'the zone'. Next thing you know we were lined up at the start line and off we went.

The race starts with a quick kick up to the base of the first peak. Storm and I made the mistake of starting at the back (lesson learnt) which ment that when we reached the first obstacle, the bottle-neck vibe was a bit hectic and we ended up having to waiting for about 30 min before we could really get our run on. I found the first few km's to be really challenging. The gradient is super-steep; you climb from 1,700m to 2,170m in the first 4 km (luckily I had a guy with a dead-cute ass in front of me so the view wasn't half bad) Because you are still warming up and trying to acclimatise yourself to the lack of oxygen floating around those areas, it is a bit of the shock to the system and also a little bit of a - oh my gosh what have I done, I am never going to be able to run 23 more kays kind of a vibe but once your are up and over the second peak you really have nothing to worry about. (except getting lost or another tornado hitting Ficksburg)

The rules of the game are simple, there is a start, a finish and three compulsory check points you need to go through in between. Other than that, you are pretty much left to your own devices and free to choose what ever route that tickles your fancy. If I can offer a golden nugget of advice, do a little homework before race day because the wrong route can see you adding a good hour or two onto your time and a hell of a lot more climbing than is necessary. (Don't leave this homework to the final moments at the start line... lesson learnt )

Once you are up and over peak 2, the absolutely mind blowing views that open up in every direction around you make you completely forget about your watch, your legs and pretty much everything that you have in your head. It is that moment you realise why it is that you are so ridiculously nutty about trail running. Kilian Jornet said,

" I do not run on or against a mountain, I run with the mountain".

It was this race that really taught me exactly what Kilian was talking about. This race is not about coming first, it is not about a smaller ass or a better time than the guy next to you. The Thule 4 Peaks Challenge is an experience; one you will treasure and reminice about for an awfully long time. Yes it is hard and gruelling and often a little nerve-wracking but in return you are rewarded with scenery like you have never seen in your life, an opportunity to push yourself far beyond any level you thought you ever could and a feeling of accomplishment that I cannot describe to you. You do not need to be a super athlete to share in this adventure, you just need get off your ass, do the training and you will be handsomely rewarded. For more info check out the Pure Adventures Website. I will be sure to let you all know when entries for next year open so you you can meet me on the start line.

What I wore:

*From the bottom up

Salomon sLabs

Not only are these the hottest looking trail shoe on the market - I'm shallow like that- but they are also extremely comfortable and super stable. I highly recommend these babies for this race as there is a large amount of technical terrain, boulder dashing and cliff hanging involved and if you find yourself wearing some other brand name of trail shoes - like the guy who ran in front of me- you will probably see your ass and this will make you look silly in front of all the professionals.

EXO 3/4 tights

These babies will make you look and feel like Spiderman, they will reduce cramping, muscle soreness and give you muscle support ie they will stop your muscles from wobbling about and losing important energy. I have absolutely no problem with any of that.

Fastlite Windshell:

As I said earlier, it is bloody flippin' crazy cold at the start of the race and a windbreaker is a compulsory item so best you show interest here. After about peak 2 you warm up quite quickly and end up having to peel off all your layers. I really liked this shell as it was really warm, super light and when stowed, took up very little space in my pack.

Salomon Backpack:

Backpacks are a seriously important part of the race as there is no seconding allowed and no water points along the route. You are responsible for yourself honey, so best you get organised. I drank about 3 litres during the run so you want something that you can strap extra bottles onto that you can reach with ease. Also, this backpack has nifty little pockets on the waist strap making things like energy bars easily accessible while you are on the trot. When test driving a pack, look out for scratchy straps that chafe (especially under your arms). The sign of a good pack is one that you don't feel on your bod.

The Facts: location: Moolmanshoek distance: 24km Ryans record time to beat: 2h 41m 58s

MASTERCLASS WITH NEILL ANTHONY

2011-10-20T15:13:00.000+02:00

What are you having for dinner tonight? Re- heated pizza? shame, I'm going to hang out with Neill Anthony, have Homemade potato gnocchi with asparagus and shaved parmesan, Perfect roast baby chicken (the only way I like my roast baby chicken) with seasonal veggies, watercress, roast thyme jus finished off with a great big wedge of Treacle tart and Confit lemon. You want to come along darling?

CODSWALLUP OF THE DAY

2011-10-19T20:31:00.000+02:00

COUNTRY ROAD SUMMER ADVENTURE

2011-10-19T17:53:00.001+02:00

Ever since Beyonce jingled her bell shaped derriere to the tune of Africa in her 'Run The world' Video, Everyone and anyone has been getting their African Bootaylicious selves on. This Summer, country Road has packed up their shit and headed straight for an African Summer baby. They call their Summer line, 'Summer Adventure', I am going to disagree and re-name it, Country Road's very civilised 5 star African Inspired mini-break. See here for more ~~heartbreak~~ holidaying from your desk.

SOMETHING FOR THE BOYS...

2011-10-11T22:00:00.001+02:00

Im sure all the cool cats that have been hanging out at the Florida Road Vida lately have noticed the big gold arrow pointing at the heavens ...

Yea... that one. How many of you have taken your latte for a little peruse? I took a stroll up the golden staircase during my last week as a Durbanite and was really quite bleak that such a rad haven of man gifts had opened up on my door step just as I was stepping out.

The Stock Market is an uber cool little boutique catering strictly for men, and by men I mean those seriously cool cats who wear those sexy slim cut chino's that are all rolled up at the ankles (hmmm lets stop and think about that image for a while) anyway, back to Earth, they stock everything from the a fore mentioned sexy pants, to gorgeous Molton Brown smellies to some suave Marc Jacobs shade for his eyeballs. Next time you are busy being cool at Vida, get a take away and drag your derriere up stairs and have a look, if I have not yet convinced you maybe their giant jar of Quality streets will give you the final push.

SLOUCHY DAYS

2011-10-11T20:56:00.000+02:00

I am currently harboring a little obsession for the whole warm Sunday day spent curled up in the sun in a soft, slouchy jersey look. It is so feminine and so damn beautiful, I am definitely going to get involved in some slouchier vibes this summer.

From cherrywhore.tumblr.com

AND THE WINNER IS.....

2011-09-27T17:42:00.001+02:00

Congratulations Chloe Van Schoor! you are our lucky winner - yay. Tonight you will receive R200 sushi voucher courtesy of Czar as well as a bottle of bubbles for you and the chicks to climb into! Warwick will be serving up this extravaganza for you viewing pleasure. Shot for the epic poem fancyface, I hope you enjoy being spoilt. please send me your details so we can shower you in gifts and champers!

DOES A DELICIOUS SUSHI + BUBBLES + TOPLESS MAN COMBINATION APPEAL TO YOU?

2011-09-26T13:21:00.002+02:00

As you all know from seeing the above poster that has been floating around the inter web, Tuesday nights are officially Ladies night at Czar. Being a lady, this vibe appeals pretty much all the way to me, introduce the half price champers + delicious sushi combo (DurbanCentral's favorite food + beverage combo) and you have a winner. Now I know you are probably thinking jeez Louise, how many ladies nights can a girl fit into her week because, let's be honest, every restaurant and their neighbour is cashing in on the ladies night vibe, and secondly with every ladies night comes a weird bunch of old guys standing just close enough to you at the bar to run their boep on you - sis - and that is not really the vibe that DC subscribes too. So why should you be outrageous and go out on a school night to indulge in this crazy sushi + bubbles combo? Well, it is simple really, I have organised for Wok, a.k.a Warwick Wright a.k.a topless guy from the zigzag story (see picture below for a refresh) to be your topless waiter for the night. 2 lucky Gals will also receive a R200 sushi voucher as well as a free bottle of bubbles. I bet you that you don't get that kind of service anywhere else in the 031!

So how do you get in on the topless man + sushi + bubbles opportunity of a life time you ask? It is simple really.

1. In the comment section below you need to write a short poem telling me why it is that you need a topless man serving you sushi and bubbles to improve your week.

2. Follow @Czardurban , @Durbancentral and @wok84 on twitter and LIKE the Czardurban Facebook page

For extra entries:

3. re tweet or re blog the competition for an extra entry.
*Winners will be announced at 2:30 tomorrow arvo

SUPER BAAD-ASS HIGH TOP LOVING FOR EVERYONE!

2011-09-23T20:10:00.002+02:00

After I posted about the Super Bad-ass Adidas hightops I bought the other day,

a lot of you folks sent bouquets of Twitter lovings followed by requests about where you could get your hands onto your own pair of Super badass hightop radness. Well, being the giving and wonderful blogger that am, I searched and scoured the interweb and compiled a little list of the raddest and most badass high tops currently circulating the Southern part of Africa. I am going to tell you now that I have not included Converse in the following list, not because I dont love them to bits but just because every one knows they are the bomb and everyone also knows where they are available, in what colour, size bla bla so I figured I would give you some other options... just in case you wanted to not look like the person standing next to you.

1 and 2: Nike QS Blazer Hi Suede R795 (Astore) 3: Nike Air Force 1 Cream HiR1499 (Shelflife) 4: Nike Air Jordan Olympic Flight 9 R1699 (Shelflife)

1: Puma Hawthorne Mid Black R795 (Astore) 2: Puma Dassler Wellenbande R1495 (Astore; Stock Exchange, Durban)

SWEET-ASS ADIDAS HIGHTOP LOVING.

2011-09-21T12:09:00.003+02:00

This is just a little boast, I thought I would show off my snazzy new ~~sweet ass Adidas High top~~ shoes I bought the other day, I am very excited about them, not only are they very very rad in the looks department but they give me outrageous badass confidence vibes. Seriously, when I wear them (which I have done virtually everyday this week) I am much cooler than usual, they must be magic or something. If you want in on the Magic Badass confidence vibes (that come with really cute rainbow stripes on the end of the laces) hit up your nearest Adidas store (or just go to SOHO on Stamford Hill Road)

QUINOA AND BANANA HEALTH MUFFINS.

2011-09-21T11:34:00.001+02:00

I know that people are all, "Muffins are just an excuse to eat cake for breakfast" at the moment but seriously, they don't have to be. Although these are are not the most glamorous muffins you ever cracked eyeballs on, they are simple and delicious and more importantly, they are packed full of nutritious bits and pieces that won't go to your ass, so give them a break or just give them a bash next time you have some left over Quinoa taking up space in your fridge.

INGREDIENTS:

2 cup cooked quinoa, cooled
2 medium bananas, peeled and mooshed
2 eggs
1/2 cup plain yogurt
1/2 cup honey
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 cup pecans or walnuts, chopped
1/3 cup raisins
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup whole wheat flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
1.5 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
pinch of salt

METHOD:

1. Preheat oven to 180 degrees. Butter and flour one 12- muffin pan
2. Grab a large bowl and chuck together the mooshed bananas, eggs, yogurt, honey and vanilla essence. Mix to combine. Add in the quinoa, raisins, pecan nuts (if you have any other seeds like sunflower seeds, linseed, whatever seeds you would like to add, go ahead, there aren't really any rules here).Combine all the ingredients and put to the side.
3. Sieve the dry ingredients over the quinoa mixture and fold together until everything is just combined.
4. Spoon the batter into the muffin pan and bake for about 25 minutes or until a knife comes out clean.

A VISIT TO HILLFOLD POTTERY

2011-09-19T15:42:00.003+02:00

Last time I was in Cape Town my Step mum brought me a cup of tea in the most beautiful handmade cup. After some light interrogation tactics I found that it was made by Lindsay Scott, a Potter who works out of a quaint studio tucked in amongst a splash of blossoming cherry blossom trees in the heart of the Midlands (how convenient!). I decided that it was only right to dedicate my Friday afternoon to some gem hunting- I was also obsessed with having some of these little cups to myself- so I hit the hills in Search of Lindsay's studio. This is what I discovered.

The studio is a treasure trove, it has that earthy smell reminiscent of junior school pottery class that made me smile. Each of Lindsay's pieces are completely unique, making it impossibly difficult to choose just one, or two, I tried, and ended up leaving with and entire set! For a map, information and everything else you need to know about Hillfold pottery look here.

WIN AFTERNOON TEA FOR YOU AND 3 FRIENDS AT A LUXURY HOTEL WITH LE CREUSET

2011-09-16T11:15:00.000+02:00

Talk about Friday, I'm in LOVE! Le Creuset has recently launched a gorgeous new collection- The Strawberry Tea Collection- in a range of freaking gorgeous pinks and girly hues that are just begging to be positioned next to a big fat cupcake. Everybody knows that cupcakes taste so much better when shared with a troop of your nearest and dearest. Le Creuset, being the smartie pants that they are have cottoned onto this and have brought you this really lovely competition. How do you get on to this Strawberry swing you ask? Its simple really, purchase any Le Creuset product from one of their 12 boutique stores, from the 15th of September until the 15th of October and you are 'in it to win it' - if you want to get all American Idols on the situation!

Christian Siriano Spring 2012 collection.

2011-09-14T13:15:00.000+02:00

Remember earlier on in the week, I was chatting about the love affair I will be having with the whole Tans + brights combination this summer? Well, it would appear that Mr Christian Siriano has pretty much hit my fantasy Summer wardrobe on the head. I am totally smitten with his combination of casual t-shirts with beautifully lean bias cut skirts, His marriage of loud, acid hues to more shy, quiet neutrals and the utterly flattering girlish vibe that his collection exudes. When I win my EuroMILLIONS, he is going to be the first guy I visit.

10 THINGS WITH INDIEBERRIES

2011-09-14T11:16:00.000+02:00

I am so happy to be able to introduce you folk to this wonderful, crazy (sometimes border line insane) young lady. Che, author of ~~the most sensational cartoonstrip on the planet~~ blog IndieBerries is a hysterical blonde living in Korea ~~collecting rad stationery~~ teaching our fab language to the peeps over there. While she is not busy spreading the word, she is filling the world with big fat belly laughs with the adventures of her pink and blonde blog self. Next time you find yourself at your desk on Monday, hit up her blog for an instant pick me up.

1. describe yourself in 10 words

Designer, daydreamer, can't cook, eats cereal, funny on odd occasions.

2. What was your first ever cartoon about?

My first ever cartoon was ages ago and the style of my drawing and cartoons has really changed a lot. The cartoon was all about waiting for the bus that NEVER came when I had a about ten thousand errands to do and things to try and get done. haha.

3. Does your illustrated self wear the same thing everyday? Does she have a closet like on
Dexters lab filled with rows and rows of perfect little pink dresses?

Yes. exactly.

4. Besides pink dresses, what are your top 5 can't live without items.

My style is very eclectic and some kind of eighties boho chic :) My top five favourites are leg warmers, ALL my bling, classic black heels, scarves and nice underwear. :)

5. Which is your favorite blog post to date?

Mmm... tough one, but I think my favourite is the one where I was learning to ski. It was an all-round fail. haha. You'll have to check it out to see the full story. (Side note: I have NOT skied again since then. keke) Other posts which readers have really enjoyed include the Date Drive of Death series - which I did for the VW Date Drive Campaign. Heinous ways to kill your ex-boyfriend was also a very popular post. Turns out people are really into killing their exes.

6. You know how us caucasions are constantly tattooing 'deep' asian bits and bobs all over our bodies even though we don't know how to read the language, any radical mis-communications in your english class?

Once I saw a Korean girl who had tattooed onto her wrist "Save mind, use the small words for sound argument". Irk. Everyday life situations are frequently lost in translation and class time is often just a whole new world of hilarious. haha

7. Care to share your favorite strawberry related recipe (Daquiri's don't count:)?

Simple: Strawberries. Melted chocolate. You can't go wrong. :) Also... strawberries with black-pepper crusted cheese. Delicious!

8. Besides getting awarded your whole pile of South African Blogger awards silverware, what is the coolest most bodacious thing that has happened to you as a result of your blog?

Honestly, the greatest most bodacious thing that I get out of my blog is the awesome comments, emails and feedback that I receive from readers about my cartoons. It's a huge motivating factor to know that people really get a kick out of my drawings and humour - which is why I love people's comments so much and it keeps me doing what I do!

9. finish the sentence

Maybe I should... kill the internet, turn my computer off and get into bed. (said at 3:30am)

I love...beautiful stationery, red wine, cereal, the internet, my friends and family.

I don't understand... banking, taxes, finance or anything really to do with money. I just spend it really well. (Note to self: must marry accountant)

When I wake up in the morning...it's about 7 snoozes past my alarm time and I'm already plotting what I'm going to eat for breakfast.

I lost...my credit card once. For almost three weeks. I didn't really know what to do. (see above). I found it in the end.

Life is full of...sneaky little twists.

I wish...for my own huge design studio- Very organised and airy and stocked to the max with beautiful stationery, papers and craft supplies. sigh.

Dogs...bark a lot.

Cats... are smaller than dogs, but they do not bark.

Tomorrow...I'm going to collect three photography films that I handed in to be developed. YAY! I have low tolerance...for rude, impolite, bad-mannered people. It's obnoxious.

If I had a million dollars... I'd take a super long backpack trip around South America and maybe around Africa too. Then I'd get some stationery importing up and running pronto and supply to awesome stores in South Africa. Next I'd buy a wonderful house with aforementioned design studio attached and spend my non-traveling days doing design work and making crafty things that everyone wants to buy. Would a million dollars go that far? (not good with money. ha)

I'm totally terrified...that i'm not going to get around to achieving all the things that I want to in my lifetime. Also, I'm terrified of frogs. I hate those little suckers.

10. Where can we find you online?

www.indieberries.blogspot.com
twitter handle: @CheKershaw
Photography Portfolio: http://cheberries.carbonmade.com/
Etsy Store: http://www.etsy.com/shop/justche
Lomography Portfolio: http://www.lomography.com/homes/justche

THOUGHT OF THE DAY

2011-09-12T18:16:00.000+02:00

SOURCE: phraseologyproject

SOMETHING TO EASE THOSE MONDAY BLUES - TRENERY SPRING 2011

2011-09-12T12:28:00.000+02:00

Just as I was getting over my Country Road depression, Trenery dropped these piccies in my Inbox and got my finances all in knots. I must say that I am loving their whole color blocking vibe. The combination of the bright corals with the tans is one of my favorite colour combinations for the season. The interesting addition of little zips here are completely gorge and add a little bit of sass to the whole vibe. If you feel the need to expose your eyeballs to more Trenery goodness, hit their catalogue here or just go straight to their online shop, it's Monday I'm sure the therapy will make it a little more bearable!

THULE 4 PEAKS MOUNTAIN CHALLENGE 2011

2011-09-05T14:50:00.000+02:00

My dear friend Storm and I have been itching to get involved in the Thule 4 Peaks Mountain Challenge for a few years now and this year we decided to stop dreaming and make this thing happen. We paid our moneys and sent off our entries and have been training our little rings off getting more and more excited as the 1 October creeps closer and closer. Lately I have been feeling a little nervioso, those bastard voices in my head have been slowly but surely sneaking little doubts into my mind about the seriousness of the situation and the fact that maybe navigating myself over 4 monster peaks clad in leopard print tights is not the wisest idea, especially since I can barely navigate myself to Westville. Yesterday, I received an email from the race organisers and suddenly I remembered why it is that I have been obsessed with the idea of smashing this run for over 2 years. This race is not about fastest times, winning or racing. This race is about getting outside and enjoying the insane, gobsmacking beauty that is South Africa. Take a look and tell me you are not just a little jealous...

THULE 4 Peaks Mountain Challenge - 2010 highlights from D4 Productions on Vimeo.

GOT WOOD?

2011-09-02T10:43:00.000+02:00

I am totally inlurve with these snazzy wooden sunnies! People are going wood bananas at the mo, after stumbling across insanely rad wooden watches the other day I suppose it was just a matter of time before this whole wood trend hit us slap in the eyeballs, or over the eyeballs rather! If you would like to get all green in the fashion dept, hit the I Heart Durban Market this weekend and purchase a pair of these babies - they will set you back a cool R375 but really, can't put a price tag on shade.

COLOURING IN WITH KIM LONGHURST...

2011-09-01T10:41:00.002+02:00

I will get my paws on one of these darling prints by Kim Longhurst by any means necessary. That little Frenchie bull dog would certainly guarantee a giggle every time you glanced over at him. Too marvellous for words. These beauties are available at your nearest Ikhaya store. If you are not lucky like me, and you don't live in the same town as this glorious gem of a store, you can either visit them online here and order one, or you could just mail the artist who I am sure would love to help you out.

* It is my birthday in 10 days... I'm just saying...

OH MY LONNY!

2011-09-01T09:35:00.000+02:00

When it comes to anything Martha Stewart related, I am generally pretty much obsessed! So imagine my glorious surprise when I stumbled upon this interview with Pilar Guzman, Editor in Chief of ~~the best magazine in the entire universe~~ Martha Stewart Living, in the latest Lonny Magazine. This woman is currently in possession of my all time dream job, oh a girl can dream... The mag is filled with many more treasures, just make sure your credit card is safely stowed before you flip the covers, there is a pair of Diane von Furstenberg wedge sandals in there that will melt your heart.

COUNTRY PORN

2011-08-31T17:19:00.000+02:00

Oh cripes! Look what just landed in my Inbox... Ladies and gentlemen I give you the Country Road spring Catalogue for 2011. I am loving their choice of colours this season. I can't wait to rock Spring in their range of fresh, bright hues. The fact that I am moving house gives me way to many excuses for colourful homey accessory purchases. . .

PLANNING ON HITTING THE FLICKS?

2011-08-31T11:35:00.002+02:00

So ridiculously amped to see this here movie, It could be the perfect couples outing. I Am loving the combination of both girl and boy eye candy, so there is basically someone for the both of you to drool over. Sometimes I feel like I spoil you too much. Here is the trailer in case you need a little convincing, personally I just like looking at JT. You can book us tickets here, just let me know time and place- it's a date.

THE WHOLEFOODS NIGHT MARKET

2011-08-31T10:52:00.000+02:00

I HEART MARKET

2011-08-31T10:22:00.000+02:00

I don't really think I need to explain this one to you, you all know it's fab and you all know you will have fun! See you there folks!

ZARA FALL 2011- GET IN MY CLOSET

2011-08-30T14:36:00.000+02:00

This coat is definitely one for the birthday list.

- Via FASHION GONE ROGUE -

LETS TALK ABOUT TATTOOS

2011-08-30T14:10:00.000+02:00

- society6 -

My mom always told me that if I ever came home with a tattoo, she would personally remove it with our trusty vegetable peeler. You know the super cheap ones that work a million times better than anything fancy you can get today. Jen ment business and I was not at all interested in getting my skin peeled off by my outraged parent so I let the whole "getting inked" thing slide and stupidly got my belly button pierced instead. Idiot. Due to the fact that I could not permenantly colour myself in, I have become something of a tattoo perve. I love the idea of tattoo'd people as the art rather than just the tattoo its self. If you catch my drift. Some Unknown person once said, " Your body is a temple, but how long can you live in the same house before you redecorate?" I have decided to take this a little sideways and choose to put the tat's on my walls instead of on my bod, I'm sure Jen will be pleased.

- Source unknown -

I would love to have prints of these two framed next to each other, to beautiful for words...

- Source unknown -

- Shawn Barber -

54 BOOKS TO READ BEFORE YOU DIE

2011-08-30T13:16:00.000+02:00

I am something of a book worm, always have been and I hope that I will continue to be until my eyeballs get all frazzled, but that is what listeners library is for, so I'm not too worried. The other day I lay in bed thinking about how many books I have read in my life, how many hours have been spent looking in on other peoples lives. . . sort of like a legal peeping tom:) It's freaking crazy! I started trying to make a list of them all, but there really were too many so I have decided to whittle it down to a round number of 54 books that I recommend you get your eyeballs all over. Please please feel free too add your own list in the comments section, I love nothing more than a good book recommendation so fire away.

The beautiful poster is courtesy of andrearosabella.

1. Winnie-the-Pooh – A.A. Milne

2. Wind in the Willows – Kenneth Grahame

3. Where the Wild Things Are - Maurice Sendak

4. The story of Ferdinan - Robert Lawson

5. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory – Roald Dahl

6. Alice in Wonderland – Lewis Carroll

7. Pride and Prejudice – Jane Austen

8. Great Expectations – Charles Dickens

9. Atonement – Ian McEwan

10. Wuthering Heights – Emily Bronte

11. The Remains of the Day – Kazuo Ishiguro

12. The God of Small Things – Arundhati Roy

13. Lolita - Vladimir Nabokov

14. The Unbearable Lightness of Being – Milan Kundera

15. To Kill a Mockingbird – Harper Lee

16. Disgrace – J. M. Coetzee

17. The Poisonwood Bible – Barbara Kingsolver

18. The Alchemist – Paulo Coelho

19. Life of Pi – Yann Martel

20. Beatrice and Virgil - Yann Martel

21. The Da Vinci Code – Dan Brown

22. Memoirs of a Geisha – Arthur Golden

23. The Power of One – Bryce Courtenay

24. Blood Sisters - Stephanie Keating, Barbara Keating

25. A Durable Fire - Stephanie Keating, Barbara Keating

26. In borrowed light - Stephanie Keating, Barbara Keating

27. Captain Corelli’s Mandolin – Louis de Bernieres

28. The Wedding Officer - Anthony Capella

29. Shantaram – Gregory David Roberts

30. My Sister’s Keeper – Jodi Picoult

31. The Harry Potter series – JK Rowling

32. The Millenium series - Stieg Larsson

33. The Spud series – John van de Ruit

34. The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time – Mark Haddon

35. Water for Elephants- Sara Gruen

36. The help- kathryn stockett

37. Born to run - Christopher McDougall

38. The Little Prince – Antoine de Saint-Exupery

39. Chocolat – Joanne Harris

40. The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency – Alexander McCall Smith

41. Q and A – Vikas Swarup

42. Little Women – Louisa May Alcott

43. Lord of the Flies – William Golding

44. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe – C.S. Lewis

45. The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas – John Boyne

46. The Kite Runner – Khaled Hosseini

47. Bridget Jones’ Diary – Helen Fielding

48. Kane and Abel – Jeffrey Archer

49. Atlas Shrugged – Ayn Rand

50. Scar Tissue - Anthony Kiedis

51. How to Make Love Like a Porn Star: A Cautionary Tale Jenna Jameson

52. Open: An Autobiography - Andre Agassi

53. Three Cups of Tea - Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin

54. Go Ask Alice - Anonymous

DON'T BE SAD, BE AWESOME.

2011-08-08T21:04:00.000+02:00

I have nothing wrong with this here mantra. Infact, I think im going to adopt it pretty much as a permenant thing. From apartment513

BACK TO BASICS

2011-08-06T13:32:00.001+02:00

My current favorites is the Moleskin Recipe Journal and anything from the Kiki-K kitchen section. I have recently been lucky enough to get my paws on one of there recipe boxes packed with gorgeous recipe cards- absolutely Love it to bits.

How often have you been to a mates house and had something really really delicious, scribbled the recipe down onto a scrap piece of paper, put it in your bag or pocket and then lost it immediately? This used to be how I rolled until my mum gave me the most beautiful Roger La Borde recipe journal. My recipe journals are now some of my most prized posessions. Infact if my house caught alight, my handwritten recipe books would probably be the first thing I would grab. These scruffy, scribble filled books are filled to the brim with the recipes I treasure the most. The kind of recipes that do not come straight out of the bajillions of cookbooks that I have but rather the ones I have pinched from boozy dinner parties, been gifted by my mother, and mothers of friends and inherited from friends long gone. A recipe journal is something that every person should have, they make fantastic gifts - don't just give someone a blank one though, buy it, fill it with your favorite recipes and let them add to it. The lazy state in which we have become so accustomed to living means that some of the most beautiful old recipes are disappearing. It is so much easier to just go to Woolies and buy dinner prepared than to whip it up old school like your mom and moms mom used to do, but lets be honest, nothing is better than mom's cooking.

MORE IN THE SEXY BEER CATEGORY

2011-07-27T19:05:00.000+02:00

Just be quiet quickly, do you hear that? aaaaaaaaaah, yea those are angel voices. Go to Brewers and Union and get this sexy beer in your gullet, seriously, this beer will help you get chicks.

THE GOOD FOOD AND WINE SHOW

2011-07-27T17:12:00.000+02:00

Hey Y'all as you all know this weekend is the Durban leg of the Good Food and wine show, yay! Me and my wingman Daniela have a stall at the show so I expect each and every single one of you in and around the greater Durban area to buy a ticket here and come introduce yourself to me and then buy a big fat pile of glorious macaroons, fudge, nougat and brownies. If you didn't know this was happening, please stop smsing while you drive and pay attention to the bajillions of streetpole ads with Ainsley Harriots mug splashed across them that have been littering the streets of Durban for the last 2 weeks- all the necessary information is there. Besides getting the pleasure to meet yours truly in the flesh, you will also have a chance to see "Famed chefs" , Rachel Allen, Willie Harcourt-Cooze, Reza Mahammad and South Africa’s favourite MasterChef Alvin (he is totally my favorite, I hope he is the winner eventually) - you will probably only see them from a distance though where as my stall will be more of a one on one thing- that's just how I roll, I like meeting my fans up close :) For all the information you will ever need and more please visit the website here!

HAPPY MONDAY!

2011-07-24T20:30:00.000+02:00

I hope you kick this week in the ass!

THE OFFICIAL HAT GUIDE FOR WINTER

2011-07-22T17:25:00.002+02:00

I am big into hats at the moment. I have this weird attraction to people who wear them. They always look so damn cool in a very aloof kind of way. Like they just wrote a super romantic novel and were on their way to deliver it to their publisher kind of vibe. When I was young I had this absolutely smashing hat my granny gave me, it was red with a white lace detail, very much an item old Victoria would chuck on for some kind of royal hoo ha.

Me channeling my Taggie vibe - as I said, a smashing hat! Please enjoy my choice of slippers.

I would put that baby on and immediately be transported to a world where I was someone else and anything was possible. As I grew up I got more and more boring, slowly becoming that chic who wears boyfriend jeans coupled with a white vest and canvas plimsoles, every day - a super vanilla kinda gal. Then I was introduced, by chance, to a gorgeous little felt hat that totally changed my vibe. A few summers ago a gorgeous little brown felt hat was left behind after a shoot and no one came back to claim it. I asked around and It appeard as though the hat belonged to no body and that the hat gods had decided it was my time to be converted. When I wear my felt hat I always feel a little cooler than the normal me and lets be honest, everyone loves an opportunity to feel a little cooler.

- That fateful summer where the love affair started, it's ok, you can say it- a cooler than cool hat!

Since that fateful summer, I have slowly but surely eased back into a full blown hat affair, just the other day I bought a Gorgeous, deep maroon, wide brimmed felt hat for winter, something I would never usually go for but I only had to put it on once and suddenly I became like a super mysterious version of me, totally digging the mysterious woman vibes for winter! Anyway at the end of the day I guess what I am trying to say Is that people often shy away from wearing hats because, "I really am totally not a hat person at all, they just make me look bloody ridiculous." This is a big load of rubbish. Go out and buy a wonderful hat that makes you feel like a goddess, rockstar, mysterious woman, author, Pirate, whatever, and wear the sh*t out of the thing, that's the trick with rocking a sweet hat, confidence friends because you will only look like a ridiculous buffoon if you let the hat wear you.

Add a beautiful bloom to the band of your favorite hat and transform it into a beautiful summery bonnet

If you have kids, it is your moral obligation to put them in as many hats as possible. The cuteness factor is just too radical for words.

A haphazard arrangement of hats can also make a really beautiful statement in your home.

A perfect example of how a hat can make you look like the frikken coolest of cool human on the planet. EVER.

-For links to all these gorgeous hat pics please visit here

SILLY 'CREATIVE' HUMOR

2011-07-22T13:49:00.001+02:00

TRENDSPOTTING: THE GUIDE TO APPLYING SOME ZAGS TO YOUR LIFE.

2011-07-16T19:15:00.000+02:00

At this moment in time, I am big into Zig Zag. No, not the surf magazine, looking at pictures of rad waves and all is a bit silly. I virtually live 5 min away from the beach so why would pay to look at pictures when I could just get off my ass and go check out the real thing, as well as some of Durbans finest carving up the ocean in my favorite topless fashion but more on that later. The kind of Zags I am currently obsessing about are the kind you can cover a cushion in, eat off, sleep in (the crazy dreams you would have... could you imagine?) stick all over your entrance hall - although coming home pissed and being confronted with that could be a small issue, wear on a sunny day or if you are a plane Jane, you could just wear a zig zag bangle for a quieter more mysterious zig zag vibe.

Nom nom nom zig zags nom nom via here

Shame, Durban beach front is so average. Enjoy your Zig Zags jozi gals.

Zig Zag cushions from here

To chase rabbits through zig zagged dreams jump in here

Make an entrance here

Or you can be boring and just wear a bangle from here

THOUGHT OF THE DAY

2011-07-14T08:15:00.002+02:00

HOW DO YOU LIKE THEM APPLES?

2011-07-13T23:11:00.004+02:00

I recently took a trip, quite a rad trip actually. My favorite camera and I jumped on a plane and traded the warm sunny skies of Durbs for the dark and stormy ones that Cape Town is currently offering. What was I doing there you ask? Remember last year when I blogged about being hysterically excited for the Russel Wasserfall Food Bloggers Photography course? Yea well due to a whole bunch of events the course never ended up happening. Being a bit of a non quitter, I emailed, called, sms'd, mms'd and bbm'd Russel and his lovely assistant Sarah incessantly until they finally buckled under the pressure and mailed me back with this year's official dates.

The Days that followed were nothing short of awesome. We were three students in total which made for a really intimate and personal experience. Who ever said, "those who can't do, teach," was talking a big load of codswallop because Russel was both an incredible, patient and generous teacher and is currently one of the most respected food snappers in the country. (The man shoots all the food for Woolies and Crush magazine just in case you think i am being a bit dramatic.)
Our days were spent getting to know all those buttons on ever surface of our cameras, great discussions on light and composition were discussed over lunches created for us by the head chef of The Table, Russel's latest culinary adventure. I guess what I am trying to say is that us girls were spoilt absolutely rotten. I returned home on both evenings with my head buzzing and eyes boggling. The guy is literally a photographic magician and I was lucky enough to get in on a little of the magic. Here are my first attempts at professionalism . . .

IT'S FRIDAY! BE HAPPY.

2011-07-01T08:10:00.000+02:00

Happiness is not something you either have or you don't. It is a choice that you make, a lifestyle if you must. Happiness cannot be bought (except maybe in Thailand but that's an entirely different kind of happiness and a whole other kettle of fish), and it cannot be taken away from you, it is a decision that you make when you first open your eyes in the morning and it will determine the outcome of your entire day as well as the people around you. So, please when you are casually strolling through your Friday in the direction of a fantastic weekend, choose to be happy.*

*If you are one of the grunpy douches that runs past people and don't reply when they give you a cheery hello, please read this post twice, and maybe take notes.

GET YOUR MARKET ON

2011-07-01T07:19:00.000+02:00

In the Market category for the weekend,you have many options. First up is the I Heart Market. You are going to be completely and utterly I hearted out of your litte vintage socks by the end of the week as the Market folk - myself included - will be setting up shop on the Durban Beach front. We will be selling everything from the greatest and most delicious macaroons in the world, to beautiful clothes to those funny little porcelain dogs so there really will be some thing for everyone. This will probably be the only time this year that you will be happy to sit on the beach in winter and hold your boyfriends keys while he surfs up a storm. And if you do come along, please come visit my little Macaroon store and introduce yourself:)

Next in line is the Litchi Orchard market out in Ballito. This is a stunning place to go grab a scrummy breakfast at their local Cafe- Orchid Cafe- listen to some chilled music being played by a very relaxed man and his guitar and generally chill out.

SCOUT&CATALOGUE

2011-07-01T06:43:00.000+02:00

Scout&Catalogue are the current receivers of most of my attention, they are a brand who are, "heavily influenced by the bohemian beach culture of Mexico. We strive to make pieces that remind you of afternoons at secret beaches, sun kissed skin, and all day siestas." I don't know about you, but that whole secret beach, all day siesta thing bodes seriously well with me and If I can get my siesta on whilst bundled up in one of these gorge wrap thingies, well then I would be just about as happy as a clam.

THE HILLS ARE ALIVE...

2011-06-30T21:14:00.000+02:00

So lately I have been pounding a fair amount of pavement, the Knysna Half is finally upon us and I am as chuffed as all hell to get on down there and frolick my way through the forest with all the other smug endorphin chasers. When it comes to running I am pretty much ~~completely and utterly beyond obsessed~~ all the way addicted. Some people dig yoga, others are into collecting weird stamps or funny shaped pebbles but I am all the way into running. The cool thing about it is that all you really need is a pair of trainers and Bobs your uncle. But then again here at DC we are not into bare necessities (unless of course its the song, I am very much into Balu, I dig his swagger) I mean come on, running is pretty fab and all but add some Foo fighters to the mix and suddenly you feel like someone is making a movie of your life and you are cruising down the road all hair blowing in the wind and you feel like the bees knees. The problem with this whole sound track fantasy thing is that the way in which you transport the Foo's from your iPod into your ear holes can either make or break it. Over the last year, I have run my way through a whole pay cheques worth of earphones, and I have finally rustled together my top three.

Opening the batting are your general In ear head phones, you know the ones, they literally are jammed into your ears making it sound like Taylor Hawkins Is rat a tat tatting on your ear drums. These guys are rad however my only worry is the fact that they are funneling all that sound straight into your head which can't be very good for those funny little hairs or that stirrup thingy. They are however really good for super cold days when the wind is whipping around your head and your ears are aching from the cold.

Next up are the Adidas PMX 680i Sports. These nifty earphones are designed specifically for sports nuts and I specifically enjoy the fact that they are both rain and sweat proof, something that has caused the death of many an ear phone in my house. One set back however is the fact that they are not at all adjustable, so, for gals like me with small noggins the whole earphones staying on your head while you run thing can be quite irritating.

I have decided to leave my absolute all time favorites till last. Ladies and gentlemen may I present to you, The Whip, made by Nixon and loved dearly by me every day. The Nixons are sleek and sexy, they come in a range of sweet colours from all black and sleek for ninja's to robot red or ultra violet for loud mouths like me. They are made from super light silicone and polyurethane making you feel like Mr Grohl is just trotting along side you singing sweet nothings into your ear. These bad boys are the bomb.

10 THINGS WITH ELEPHANTSHOE PAPERIE

2011-06-20T11:30:00.000+02:00

It is no secret, I have a total and utter obsession with stationery, in fact, when I met the Bird he told me that his mom owned a stationery and Scrapbooking shop, I'm not going to lie - that little nugget was pretty much what sealed the deal for me! Another thing I am a little obsessed with is wedding design, I spend a lot of company time stalking happy brides on every and any wedding site the web has to offer. My lovely friend Sam has kindly taken my two obsessions and married them, creating an utterly gorgeous bespoke wedding stationery design company that will make you want to renew your vows annually. Elephantshoe PAPERIE also offers a range of other wedding services from insane treat tables to styling the works. I hope you enjoy Sams little interview and enjoy her stunning piccies. Go and perve her website here.

1. Describe yourself in 10 words
Perfectionist with a sweet tooth and love for pretty things.

2. If you were an elephant, exactly what kind of shoe would you wear?
Oh gosh, I would definitely have a closet full of them but I guess as an elephant a pair of Country Road thigh high boots would be my pick to cover up my wrinkly knees.

Take a look at this cute pic that Blackframe photography sent me of some Elephant fashion.

via Jodilee Sandler

3. What is your favorite project elephant shoe has been involved in so far?
To date, our project in collaboration with Blackframe photography titled, a Royal Affair has been my favorite. It involved the key aspects that I love, designing and styling and I really enjoyed working with the talented Andre and Maritsa. It all just came together plus it was featured on the pretty blog. We had so much feedback on our blogs and loads of people downloaded the free DIY stationery goodies to host their own tea parties to celebrate the wedding of Kate Middleton to Prince William.

4. What are the current trends in the wedding stationery business?
The use of bold and alluring typography alongside playful and fun designs that reflect the story of the couple to be wed. There is also a shift towards anything that is vintage with a touch of country providing it is combined together to still feel modern and relevant.

5. When you were a kid, what did your dream wedding look like?
Strangely, I never really thought about my wedding as a child, I always dreamt about who the man would be that I would marry. My best friend Amy and I used to talk for hours about who our future husbands may be.

6. What are your top 5 places to visit when you need a good drenching of inspiration?
1.I love to look through old magazines, a splash of colour, a bold word or anything I find in there can give me inspiration.
2. The world of blogs.
3. Folders upon folders on my macbook where I have kept images I love over the years.
4. Bookshops, (that way I get to grab a café latte to aid in the inspiration process).
5. www.pinterest.com

7. Whats the mushiest thing you have ever done in the name of love.
Last year before James and I were married, I went on a ski trip to Austria for two weeks. I left James with 2 boxes of 14 envelopes, each containing a love note for every day that I was away. Some of the envelopes had little treats in them, like chocolate, sweeties and even some money for James to grab a coffee on a lonely day.

8. The top 5 items on my wish list are:
1. an old but working letterpress machine (they are few and far between & difficult to find in South Africa).
2. an antique, wooden map drawer to keep all of my paper safe and happy.
3. a grey coat from Trenery.
4. a set of Pantone mugs
5. a grey, long v-neck jersey from Country Road

9. 10 words of advice you can give to someone on their wedding day....
Kick off your shoes, celebrate with your husband and guests.

10. What is your current favorite colour combination
I am in love with grey, all shades of it - gunmetal & charcoal grey, dove grey, putty grey, slate grey. You name it, I like it. I find it is classy, understated and down to earth. I recently said to my husband that he is lucky I haven't painted him grey yet. Even my cats is grey, her name is Mushroom.

Feast your eyeballs, Crush 9

2011-06-13T19:56:00.001+02:00

And it's a juicy one, word of advice though, don't read this baby if you have a boring lunch, the recipes in here are ridiculous. Go get subscribed here.

A TRIP TO DEEP DARK AFRICA

2011-06-13T19:26:00.000+02:00

So this morning I took a little trip to the heart of Deepdarkafrica, I casually sauntered around the gorgeous smorgasbord of local artisans, designers & crafters gathering more and more pride and awe at the intense creative talent that the people of my continent posses, while my credit card gathered flames in my pocket. Do you know what the coolest part was? the fact that I got to explore the creative spark of africa without even leaving my seat. South African fashion & decor stylist and author of the super rad blog JUSTcos, Alexia Kondylis has launched this quirky little online store that aims to 'showcase this creative talent to a wider contemporary market & make it accessible to all whilst at the same time bridging the gap between established African artists and those without access to a greater market.' This chic has a serious eye for everything beautiful, these are some of my favorites...

Please go and support Deepdarkafrica here, check out the blog here and get your twitter on here .

SASKO SURPRISE

2011-06-10T11:48:00.000+02:00

So the other day I popped on down to my post box, I opened the bad boy up and rummaged through my usual bills bills bills, read up on pamphlets filling me in on the latest Penis enlargement potions from my local Sangoma, you know the usual. I was not expecting anything rad. Then a sweet little slip fell out the pile, you know the one, its that little darling with a not that says - hello lucky person! you have a ginormous and wildly exciting surprise waiting for you at the Post office! Is just so ginormous and wonderful that we can't fit in in your post box or in our delivery truck so please come on down and pick it up!

I wasted no time, grabbed the keys and headed straight for the Post Office. This is what greeted me- so much of cool.

The clever sausages over at Saatchi and Saatchi designed this gorge recipe book for Sasko, filled it with amazing illustration and design and really lovely recipes including everything from Koeksisters to Melktert. I cannot wait to whip me up some South African morsels:)

How stunning is this cover? It totally makes me want to get my desperate housewife on. Its so lovely to see a brand doing sexy stuff- but then again I would expect nothing less form Saatchi.

Each recipe is accompanied by a stunning, simple piccie. Koeksisters, I always thought they were mad complicated to make, it turns out I have been pretty much wrong forever, cant wait to make some of these babies.

Hello Sailor

2011-06-07T09:07:00.001+02:00

Absolutely inLOVE with these gorge skirts by Anne Cramer, anyone coming from America any time soon, feel free to bring me stripey skirt shaped prezzies:)

Happy Mothersday from Justin Timberlake

2011-05-31T16:31:00.000+02:00

There are no words. Except maybe for BAAAAA ha ha ha HA HA hA. I bet you never though you would see Susan Sarandon and Patricia Clarkson like this before, ever, not even in a million years. Happy Tuesday lovely readers.

Hey y'all time to get your Market on

2011-05-31T15:22:00.000+02:00

Hey peeps it's that crazy time again so get out your thrifty outfits and little tasseled book bags, the markets are a comin. Thursday night sees the return of the Whole Foods Night Market held down at the less gangster side of point road, if you have not yet explored this market I highly suggest you get organised and come down it is a whole lot of fun and just a really rad place to hang out with friends, eat some falaffel and get a little sloshed. for more info hit up their facebook page here or you can read my previous post on it here
Next up is the I Heart Market on Saturday which you all know about so I'm not going to waffle on about it. What I am going to waffle on about is the seriously cool Twitter Blanket drive that Askashe has orchestrated. Basically all you need to do is get yourself a blanket and come down to the I Heart Market on Saturday where you can donate it to the people who need it the most. Ashe has scribbled down all the info here, go check it out immediately.

Bloggers, bubbly and shiny shoes

2011-05-31T14:52:00.000+02:00

So The Bird and I have recently moved into a new place - when I say recently I mean we moved in in Feb but because all my stuff is still all over the place, it still looks like we moved in yesterday!

Last week some of us lucky blogger chicks were invited to have a little look see at the latest and fabbest at Con Amore in La Lucia Mall . I could literally hear the ca- ching ca-ching sound from the moment I walked in. We were greeted by a table packed with absolutely gorgeous little cupcakes, plates of delicious sushi and piles of our Macaroonies were rising up off silver platters looking very snooty indeed. The lovely Candice gave us a little introduction and sent us off to discover the wonders of their store, clutching glasses of bubbly and slowly watching our bank balances plummet. . .

me: Omg bird, you don't understand,I saw the most beautiful shiny shoes tonight

bird: Why do you need shiny shoes?

me: I'm sorry, I don't understand the question

I loved the fact that the store is packed full of beautiful little details that us girls can use to make our simple first homes look like really glam little gems. Union Jack pillows, definitely on the official birthday list 2011.

Tie a little ribbon round your finger

2011-05-31T13:50:00.000+02:00

Today I was standing in line at the post office waiting for my awesome package to be handed over to me. I was merrily thinking about how rad bananas it is to get little postage slips to say that you have some giant surprise you need to go fetch because it is too big and awesome to fit in your mail box- just the best feeling right? Anyway while I was standing in the line I slowly started to look around at the people standing in line around me and I realised just how lucky I am in my life. So often we get so caught up with our constant striving to have better hair than the girl next to you , a tighter butt, more money, iPhone or Blackberry that we forget to be greatful for the important things like our health, our warm beds and supportive families and our generally awesome lives. I know this post is a bit of a heart bleed but if you are reading this, please just take a moment to step back and be greatful for how awesome you have it, you really are one of the lucky few. Poster available here

The Wholefoods Night Market

2011-05-24T11:17:00.001+02:00

Just close your eyeballs for a second, sit back in your office chair, spin around if you must, and let me tell you a little story. I recently went to the Whole Foods Night market (what used to be the Colombo Market) Unfortunately because I was so busy selling Macaroonies to the hungry hoards I didn't get even a moment to snap any piccies so I am going to just have to tell you about it instead and hope that your wild imagination can fill in the blanks and colour in the lines.

This little story takes place in beautiful, abandoned building project down on Point Waterfront. The weather outside is cold and rainy and the sky is the colour of a grumpy elephant. My lip is dragging on the ground because my car is packed to the roof with gold dusted brownies, sour cream fudge and enough macaroons to make you sick for a week and the weather is so damn miserable, I am sure no one will turn up. They will be too busy watching re runs of gossip girl while sniggering at all the poor sods sitting at a rainy market.

I arrived to the sound of bustling and laughing. Strings of bunting were being cris-crossed in every direction while Darryl, the creator of this whole shebang, skipped and weaved his way through the myriad of glorious stalls, firing up the candles that covered every available space to the sound of some cheeky jazz. Vendors were excitedly filling up their tables with everything from home-made lemonade and boutique beer to possibly the most delicious falaffel wraps you will ever have in your whole life- ever!

Slowly but surely, the space filled up, people wafted around following the clouds of delicious smells that floated around our cozy cave, clutching big glasses of red wine while they picked out there dinner menu. Once they were decided, bites were bought and enjoyed around the many candle lit tables that had been fashioned out hay bales and boxes.

The Wholefoods night market was a roaring success, it was run professionally, parking was really easy and close to the front door, and the products supplied by the vendors were of a really high standard. I can definitely recommend this market to anyone. So, when you find yourself without plans on the first Thursday evening of every month, round up some troops come down to the market and have a really rad candle lit evening with your mates.

Venue: The Quays, at the Durban Underwater Club and nearby uShaka, there is additional security personnel on duty. To find The Quays – take the second left after uShaka at Wodka, and go over the canal bridge as though going to Durban Underwater Club. Night Market will be on your right.

For more info – phone Yossis on 031 201 0090 / Tracey on 072 552 8152

10 THINGS WITH THE YUPPIES IN YUPPIECHEF

2011-04-05T10:29:00.001+02:00

When it comes to everything sassy and sexy in the kitchen, only one name comes to mind and that is Yuppiechef. Yuppiechef is South Africa's premiere online ~~heaven~~ Kitchen store that has really made the hugest effort to bring South African's the best possible tools so we can all get out Nigella's and/or Jamies on respectively.

When I went to that fab Food Bloggers Conference, I was lucky enough to meet the entire Yuppiechef ~~lunatics~~ team and was immediately determined to become bff's with them. They are an awesome bunch of guys and girls who always seem to be having some kind of fun - something that DurbanCentral is very much down with - so, please let me introduce to you the two Yuppies in Yuppiechef Marina and Lisa. Read about them, learn about what makes them tick and then go over to the Yuppiechef blog and immerse yourself in the heaven that is Kitchen addiction.

1. Describe yourself in 10 words

Lisa: English? South African? Searching for the best of both worlds.
Marina: My name is Marina and I like eating zoo biscuits.

2. 10 ingredients every person should have in their kitchen?

Lisa: Sundried tomatoes, mother-in-law’s salt (with paprika and other secret things), Klein River Gruyere, smoked mussels, avos, coconut milk, olive oil, marshmallow eggs, Wedgewood nougat,risotto rice.
Marina: Chilli, feta, mushrooms, cream, black pepper, olive oil, chickpeas, peppers, fresh ginger,
coriander

3. I read a Jamie Oliver inty and he was telling a store about once when he was cooking
dinner for his lady in the nik and he opened the oven and a whoosh of hot air blasted his
bits! Any cringe worthy kitchen moments you would like to share?

Lisa: I decided to make a 70s-inspired dish for my husband’s 30th – a rather hideous sounding orange pudding (orange juice, milk and gelatine…. doesn’t sound good does it?) but didn’t put in enough gelatine as when it came to turning it out of the mould a cascade of orangey-milk drowned both me and the kitchen. Not cringe-worthy but certainly the makings of a good party.
Marina: I once went on a blind date and my date disappeared during the meal and locked himself in his room. Turned out he had cooked with pinenuts, which he was allergic to, and got so swollen he didn’t want to be seen!

4. Wooden spoons are so last Tuesday, My mom must have broken masses on my ass as
a kid, but these days moms have so many more options (I personally am loving the Le
Creuset spatula range, nice wooden handle with a flexible silicone end) Which kitchen
utensil do you think doubles as the best whacker ?

Lisa: The Joseph Joseph Adjustable Rolling Pin
Marina: A pizza paddle? Although this breaks the rule of thumb.

5. Being someone who likes to cook, a lot, means that I receive about 3 recipe books every
Christmas, and birthday. What are the top 3 budget friendly Yuppie Chef items (in the
non cookbook category) you would recommend to people looking to gift their foodie
friends.

Lisa: Cuisipro heart shaped cookie cutters, Kitchen Craft toaster bag, A Grabbit or two

Marina: Poach pods, Magnetic measuring spoon, Victorinox Tomato Knife

6. What is the wierdest thing you ever ate and enjoyed?

Marina: Stingray.
Lisa: Heston Blumenthal’s mock turtle soup (OK not weird but magical)

7. When all the foodies aren't looking I like to indulge in a little . . . .

Marina: Steers
Lisa: Pork scratchings

8. Working for the 'ol yuppiechef people must make people assume that you chicks are pretty much Masterchefs, a) is this the truth? b) When you have me round for dinner next time Im in ct what will you be cooking for me?

Lisa: a) Nope. If I’m left to my own devices in the kitchen it’s chaos. b) Thai steak salad
Marina: A) Well the people in Masterchef are learning, right? b) Butternut and burnt sage butter risotto (if you feed me chocolate)

9. On the subject of your employer, how on earth do you receive your pay check at the end
of every month and not blow it immediately on a kitchen aid? You are surrounded by so
much cool stuff!

Lisa: Creating a ‘wish list’ helps!
Marina: We have nerves of steel.

10. What is the best perk about your job?

Lisa: Our social teas – last week we had marie biscuits with marshmallow easter eggs squished inside and then melted. Today we had scrumptious milk tart.
Marina: Working with incredible, quirky and inspiring people.

DANNY ROBERTS AND DURBANCENTRAL'S SUBCONCIOUS COLLABERATION

2011-04-04T16:38:00.002+02:00

I just totally love it when a plan comes together! Ages and Ages ago I posted this picture (you can check out the post here) asking y'all to close your pretty eyes and just Imagine what a beautiful painting it would make. Every now and again I revisit the picture in my archives and hope that one day I will have the gusto to put on a sexy over sized mens shirt, jab a paintbrush in my updo and lock myself in my "studio" only to emerge days later, covered in paint and clutching my gorgeous work of art that we will spend hours discussing at my marvelous dinner parties! Due to some unforseen macarooning my little fantasy slowly but surely became a dusty old fossil that was never realised.

Danny Roberts clearly read my blog post and felt heart ache over my lost fantasy that I was subliminally smashing you guys with between the lines because the little stud muffin (seriously go check him out, he is just a little ridiculous in the good looking dept. total hottie) took it upon himself to act out my sexy litle artistic fantasy and do the dirty work for me! So without further rambling, may I present to you the dream as interpreted by the very talented Danny Roberts.

PLAYING FOR CHANGE

2011-04-04T15:14:00.000+02:00

The bird recently posted this link on my Fb wall and it totally made my day! This is such a wonderful idea and possibly the raddest Monday blues killer on the planet. Playing for change is this super clever little posse of dudes who had the fab idea of recording little snippets of some incredibly talented buskers from every walk of life and corner of the globe. They traveled around collecting these beautiful snippets that they eventually edited together to bring us this wonderful gift. I hope it makes your Monday seem a little less well, Monday-ish. Enjoy peeps.

PS. I am officially back from my blogging hiatus, it was forced upon me by the nasty internet gods who very selfishly confiscated my connectivity but that is all very over now so you can breathe a sigh of relief:)

10 THINGS WITH KIM GRAY

2011-03-17T10:45:00.002+02:00

Hello my lovelies, Happy St Paddies day to you all! I have been itching to publish this little beauty all week. Kim Gray is pretty much all the way the most lovely and most talented young woman/blogger/stylist/country road addict/DIY home decorator in the biz. It gives me great pleasure (puffing chest like a proud pigeon) to introduce you all the the extremely talented and always lovely Kim Gray.

1.Describe yourself in 10 words Homebody, nail polish lover, cheese cake eater, dreamer, bad speller

2. How did you actually become a stylist? Was it something you always wanted to do or did your passion evolve out of a previous job? I always knew I wanted to be involved in shoots. But I never knew in what role. So I studied to be a make-up artist, but an internship at Marie Claire swayed my path and taught me everything I needed to know. So yes, my passion for styling was an evolving one.

3. How did you get to the point where people actually started paying you to put things together to look pretty? A lucky break I guess. I went to see a photographer, Malcome Dare, he's brilliant, to do a test shoot, (that's when you all work for free to get pics for your portfolio / play / experiment etc.. ) Anyway, one day he had a big job for some car brand where a stylist dropped them last minute. In a panic they called me last minute to help out and it was the most daunting thing ever, but an opportunity not to be missed. I used my contacts I made at Marie Claire and got sourcing. They called me back for more big jobs after that.. and so I built the confidence to start showing my portfolio around to other photographers and Ad Agencies.

3. 10 steps of a typical day in Kim grays shoes goes like this... 1.) wake up (not my Favorite part of the day, love to sleep) 2.) play with puppy 3.) make coffee 4.) check mails 5.) blog 6.) either meetings, sourcing or shooting 7.) EAT (good part of the day) 8.) Glass of wine (even better part of the day) 9.) check blog, e-mails, etc 10.) Relax

4. I have noticed a habit you have of celebrating your birthday by rewarding everyone else! What I would like to know is what item is number one on your Birthday list this year?

Oooh either a Flip Cam or a Canon G12

5. What are your top 10 basics for the upcoming season?

I don't know if these are necessarily what you should be wearing - investing in, but I sure want to!

1. I already have a couple of her prints, But I'm after the Skinnylaminx Cloudbird cushion in chalk board and the mandarin colour next.

2.QMS Sprots Active Tinted Moisturizer - Addicted! It gives skin a healthy glow and bit of colour for winter - it's light and sheer and leaves skin looking luminous.

3.Clinique Chubby Stick - Absolutely loving these crayons for adults for lips and cheeks.
4.Hunter Boots - Oooh How do you choose a colour?
5.Sunnies - I love the D&G Aviators from Sunglass Hut- they suit pretty much every occasion

6. Converse DC Comics Converse - love this design. it's just fun!

7. Essie Luxedo Nail Polish. Love this deep plum for winter. Remember to keep nails nice and short.
8. Leather sling bag - love this one from Old Khaki

9. Snood - A beautiful cream or grey cable knit snood to cosy up in this winter like this one from Country Road.

I pick these shoes up every time I walk past - Love them.

6. if you had to only wear one colour of converse for the rest of your life (a horrible question I know ha ha) which one would you choose and why? Grey, it's my all time favourite colour. My grey high tops are a shoot staple. Love them!

7. I often see your early morning tweets when you are off gallivanting with the shape girls on sunrise shoots, now for the serious question, what are your tricks to help tired eyes look more like shiny bright young things?

YSL Touche Eclat most make-up artist swear by it. Beauty Flash Ball for eyes - I love beauty Flash Balm, it totally tightens and brightens skin. Some hot sunnies will do the trick too :)

Behind the scene's from the Shape February cover shoot.

8. Talking of beach shoots, you were recently seen looking completely fab in the MarieClaire Naked edition! What 10 things were going through your mind when you were standing starkers on the beach?

Where are the bubbles, what are my inlaws going to say, I'm not really that naked, It's fine, You'll be glad you did it, puppies, Ooh I'm going to be in the Marie Claire, I hope this campaign does well, I hope no one saw anything, Wish I had gone to the gym more

9. What did you wear to your Matric dance? What do you wish you had worn to your matric dance? I wore a fitted raw silk, deep royal blue boobtube dress to the floor that slightly flaired at the bottom. I wouldn't ware it now, but I don't regret wearing it. It was pretty cool, I think anyway :)

10.Who would you like to see interviewed in the next 10 things: Vicki Sleet of I want That. Unless you've done her?

SOOTCOOKIE'S AND SPACE BUNNIES

2011-03-16T14:08:00.001+02:00

Gosh, ages and ages ago I spotted one of these glorious little Martians catching some rays on a golden sand dune in the ElleDecor and decided then and there to clear a space on my shelf in anticipation for the day that one of these guys came to visit.
This morning I happened across the SOOTCOEKIE website and was completely stoked to discover that my future prized possession has siblings! Do you not love the way their ears lop quizzically to the side? I am going to have to start selling a few more Macaroons now that I am saving for the whole family, I certainly could not separate old Goldeyes from his possie, that would just be mean!

*side note for the bird- This is a blatant birthday/ anniversary/ just because you are the most wonderful girlfriend in the world and I love you so much I want to spoil you - hint. Write it down.

In other news, I am also coveting their gorge picnic range. Can you even imagine how cool you will look serving beautifully cooked beer battered hake and chips to your dinner party in their "take away" boxes?

A MESSAGE TO THE HATERS

2011-03-15T16:16:00.002+02:00

Dear people who think it is necessary to write shitty and useless comments that are mean. If you have a problem with a person who I blog about, or you don't like little tiny lady bug costumes that make your heart all mushy. Don't be silly and write it all up on the interweb- no one cares, not me and certainly not dear sweet Maria over here. So please if you would like to complain and be bitter go to www.hellopeter.com and they will sort you out.

I HEART DURBAN MARKET

2011-03-15T15:13:00.000+02:00

Oooh La La look what just landed in my inbox. I absolutely friggen love these posters, I think its about time the fairies who put together this gorgeous little shingig did some kind of a handbag collection or, better yet little range of tea towels. It makes me sad that these pretty posters are not being loved to their full potential. How would you recycle them? I would love to hear your ideas...

GRRRRR TIGER

2011-03-09T17:51:00.000+02:00

When it comes to the whole feline trend debate, I have noticed that there are clearly two very different trains of thought. The first train, the one which I have hitched my trailer firmly too is the one that believes that

Catty vibes should be used sparingly and with extreme caution!

I believe that prints like leopard and tiger are best used in small doses merely, suggesting a little cheeky streak. Adding a leopard print heel to your staple of jeans and a white T can transform your casual day look into a sleek and sexy night look in only the time it takes to swap out your shoes. If you are wanting to take a bit of a bolder approach, you cannot go wrong if you combine a gorgeous print with a clean, modest cut, done impecably well by Scarlotte Johansen and Eva Mendez

It would seem that the other train veered off the tracks somewhere and came to a screeching halt in Snookie's lounge. These wierd jungle cats believe that the best thing to pair a bit of leopard print with is maybe more leopard print or even tiger print for those even more daring ~~bezerk.~~ Sadly these peeps end up looking like one of those wierd posters they used to print in the middle of the you mag that make your eyeballs all screwey.

Elle UK April 2011 Cover | Gwen Stefani by Matthias Vriens-McGrath

One chickie boo that is getting her tiger on in a good way is, Gwendolynne (I wonder if her real name is Gwendolynne or if she is just Gwen?) Steffani, ~~rocks~~ graces the cover of ELLE UK looking positively feline. Now i know that there is no cat print in this piccie but to me this illustrates the print perfectly. A bold feline prints is more like a feeling, its a cheeky, sexy spice that should be peppered lightly over ones wardrobe. Its the way you hold your body and the way you move and Gwen is moving in exactly the right way. Golly this girl is a beauty. GGGRRRRR.

WARNING: THIS WILL MAKE YOUR OVARIES TINGLE.

2011-03-08T20:38:00.000+02:00

I am not usually one for cute baby pictures, in fact I think this might be my first mushy baby post ever. Can you even cope with how frikken cute this is, where do you even get a little ladybug costume like that? If I ever have kids, the poor darlings are going to be dressed like ladybugs every day. pic via THC AD SCHOOL

SIT BACK, RELAX AND LET KIM GRAY SPOIL YOU

2011-03-07T13:53:00.000+02:00

When it comes to things like Christmas, and Birthdays, I like to get over excited. I like to decorate any and every available surface, do the countdown and generally get all the way into the vibe.

Another gal who is not scared to get her party on is Kim Gray. I swear, every year, I get more excited about Kim Gray's birthday than she does. Not only does she start the count down a month before (some thing that is very important when it comes to birthdays) but she has actually turned the day completely on its head and is giving gifts away rather than receiving them (I don't think im ready for this step yet!)

Now, I feel that using the words Gifts is not exactly correct because if you take a little gander around, you will see that Kim is spoiling us readers bloody rotten. These babies are TREASURES that have been on pretty much any and every Birthday, Anniversary, Christmas and Wish list that has ever been written by a sane person, EVER. You have approx 30 days left to get your tush over to her fab blog and get entering alternatively you could ignore this last sentence so there is more chance for me:) Good luck y'all!

I WROTE A LETTER TO MY LOVE...

2011-03-01T22:42:00.000+02:00

On my list of favorite things in the world, paper cut outs and bunting rank pretty high up there - a few rungs down from macaroons, high heels and fantasy shopping sprees on YuppieChef - I got their latest newsletter today and lets just say that Dani and I are going to have to sell ~~millions~~ quite a few more macaroons, asap - anyway, deviating from my point of bunting and Paper cutouts. Today I stumbled upon Maria Ikonomopoulou's photographs and was immediately pissed that I had not come up with this idea myself. How is it possible that I never thought to marry these two glorious crafties. One day, I might cut out a little love letter to the Bird, I can't imagine trying to fit the bugger into an envelope though.

10 THINGS WITH CAPE TOWN GIRL

2011-03-01T22:08:00.002+02:00

BLOG: www.capetowngirl.co.za TWITTER: @capetown_girl

Being able to introduce CapeTownGirl to you guys is pretty much a big deal to me. It is also a little difficult as It would seem that I have her propped up on something resembling a bloggers pedastil and am now shrouded in a big cloud of nerves because I know she will be reading this and I want her intro to be really really rad. Her blog, CapeTownGirl- Tales of the pretty, is like a buffet of cool stuff all wizzing about in different directions. I often leave her page, feeling like I just climbed out of the grown up version of Mary Poppins handbag- the chick pretty much has it all covered from naked photo shoots on public beaches, to lunch dates with The Kardashians. She is pretty much living the life you are sitting at your desk dreaming about, but what is nice about this sassy lady is that she is willing to share it all with you, I hope you enjoy the read kids:)

1. Describe yourself in 10 words. . . I live under a rock. It is called Table Mountain.

2. What are the 10 essentials that every girl should have in her wardrobe? 10 items of clothing that suit your body and taste, and nobody else’s. I personally can’t have enough well-cut dresses – one-shoulder dresses (especially), maxi dresses, ¾ dresses and short dresses. And then well-cut skinny jeans that have some kind of unique attention to detail are another staple. Pepe Jeans keep me well stocked in both dresses and jeans!

Two of my favourites - a navy blue one-shoulder I wore to last year's The Vibe party
and an orange print maxidress from Pepe Jeans which I wore to last year's SA Blog Awards.
And a pair of tie-dyed skinnies I wore all through summer, also Pepe.

3. Never in a million years did I think that ........ I’d pose naked in a mainstream woman’s magazine. Never! I am a huge animal lover though, so this was an ideal chance for me to get involved in helping a charity that I really care about, the NSPCA.

4. Which blog post are you most proud of? Probably the Kate Middleton post. But I do have a soft spot for Tilikum the Whale and Panjo the Tiger. And I feel my open letter to those who use the 24-hour Engen in Gardens to be quite an important post, too. You’d understand if you lived here.

5. Rumor has it you are an ex-Durbanite, care to elaborate? It’s true, I grew up in Durbs, but moved to Cape Town to attend high school. I was a typical Durban kid, always outside, usually swimming. I still love Durban and I miss the thunder storms. The misty Natal midlands is a favourite holiday retreat destination. I’m definitely going to own a house there one day. With horses.

Pic: My brother and I in the pool as kids at our house in Natal.

6. The bachelor you were seen canoodling with in the back of this months Marie Claire is coming for dinner, what are you cooking? Hmm. That’s a tough one because he’s such a great cook, definitely better than me. I might attempt a meaty dish using NoMu’s one-for-all rub. It makes everything taste good!

7. What did you and Kim Gray chat about when you were standing next to each other in the nik? About the novelty of being naked on a beach with strangers at 6am! We also spent a lot of time talking to the doggy as she just wanted to go to Mark (the photographer) the whole time.

8. What is the most surprising thing you keep in your handbag? Hmm. Surprising? Let’s see… perfume, makeup, various Apple chargers, shades, macarons, moleskine, 8-hour cream, sunblock, tazer, … none of this is terribly surprising, is it? Although I get a surprise whenever I find a Vida Lindt chocolate in there. I’m always amazed I haven’t eaten it by now!

9. Every time I pop over to your fab blog, you are sporting a new pair of uber rad shades, how many pairs do you actually own? Hmm. I haven’t counted them, but I do love them! I’ve always been a shades aficionado. To me, a look is incomplete unless you have the perfect pair of shades – it defines the style you’re going for. Sunglass Hut have incredible variety though. Just when I think I couldn’t possibly get a pair I didn’t already have, they get in a whole new range to covet and lust after.

1. These D&G Cat's Eyes are also favourites of mine 2. I'm loving these tortoiseshell Bulgari's at the moment 3. My batwing Wayfarers are a classic, I always have them in my bag 4. And these Tiffany shades are my winter favourites - they're very big and black and Audrey Hepburn

5. I adore these pearlescent blue Bulgari's I wore to the Queen's Plate, pictured here
with PopYaCollar's Sam Walker

(Do you see what I mean, this girl has like a bajillion pairs of shades!)

10. What is the coolest thing that has happened to you since starting CapeTownGirl?
Without doubt the best thing to come out of Cape Town Girl would be the amazing people I meet, some of them famous, some of them not. I’ve met people who have totally changed my life as a result of it, and I’ll always be grateful for that.

Highlights include meeting and chatting to Kim & Khloe Kardashian about blogging, has to be a highlight – it’s not every day you get to meet popculture entrepreneurs of that scale and chat to them about how they do what they do.
Experiences such as flying to the secret MTN iPhone 4 launch, and posing naked in Marie Claire to help the SPCA, have also been great things to be involved in. Being photographed by Andrew Brauteseth alongside Helen Zille for his Portrait of a Nation shoot was amazing.

I’ve also learnt to play the stock market with Global Trader - it's awesome to learn new skills. Let me stop – I could go on for days...

DECADENT DANI AT THE I HEART MARKET

2011-02-28T20:43:00.000+02:00

SO my lovelies, the rumor mill is spitting out a little bit of truth this week... yes... your little Macaroon shaped dreams will finally be realised this Saturday the 5 March at the DLI hall. Unfortunately for you, Dani is having to Jet set off to rescue a Cape Town bride's big wedding cake dreams so she won't be able to meet you all, however, I will be there manning our little macaroon station so pop by and come introduce yourself, I have been talking at you all for over a year now and it would be really great to see all your pretty faces!

THANK THE POPE IT IS FINALLY FRIDAY!

2011-02-25T17:01:00.000+02:00

Hope its a stellar one:) Pic Via LITTLE DOODLES

WEDDING CAKES, NOT FOR THE FAINT HEARTED!

2011-02-23T15:29:00.002+02:00

My heart was beating out of my chest, I literally thought I was going to die of a freaking anxiety attack in the Molenvleit cold room. The engaged one lay peacefully soaking up the morning sunshine, blissfully unaware, while she waited for her curls to set. The Swiss Meringue Buttercream was now slowly splitting and turning to oily mush in my newly manicured hands. SHIT. The fact that my curls were now being set in vanilla mousse was beside the point!

The 5 tier madame stood, smugly, on top of the pile of Champagne boxes (The Cake Boss would be horrified) and waited, impatiently, for the richness of the once satin icing to be draped over her buxom body. I had every intention of arriving on the big day,sandwiching the glorious chiffon layers together, adorning this little bridezilla in her velvet soft gown, tucking her lacy flowers behind her ear and sending her off with a slap on her vanilla flavoured bottom. I actually had a little laugh looking back at my naivete.

I never planned on it being about a thousand degrees in the shade, something that ~~the most temperamental icing on earth~~ Swiss Meringue Buttercream absolutely hates! My final hour saw me crouched over in the Molenvliet cold room, icicles forming on my flared nostrils, frantically wielding my little spatula at anyone who dared open the door and upset the temperature of my operation. Hands shaking from fear that maybe I had bitten off more than I could chew, I could almost picture the Married one's face as her cake, was wheeled in starkers- I decided that this would not be an option. Like a bride possessed, I whipped that ~~the most temperamental icing on earth~~ Swiss Meringue Buttercream until every one of my new pilates muscles (thanks Max) was on fire and my icing had returned to its former, dreamy glory! By now my curls were hanging somewhere around my ankles! Slowly but surely my frantic mother and I draped that rich little cow into her lacy gown, gasping as we finally took a step back, stunned by the beauty that was my home made creation.

THE DAY AFTER VALENTINES DAY

2011-02-15T21:50:00.001+02:00

So many people spend the whole of January storing up all their mushy cooties, hatching sneaky plans to knock their 'person' off their feet, I literally heard of a company who will send a man in an orangutan suit to sing your lady a love song- but more on that later! and generally panicking about making their loved ones feel like loved enough ones. Although I absolutely love Valentines day (not as much as I love Christmas) and will find any excuse to wear red and bat the old eyelids, I think that springing little surprises on the Bird on normal days is a little more fun (also he doesn't expect it there for the reward is usually much much more ~~flavourable~~ favorable:)

This brings me to these marvelous little his and hers doo-dahs from Amy Moss of Eat.Drink.Chic (one of my all time favorite blogs). If you click right over here you can download these little babies, print them out, use them wisely and receive your reward with open arms. If you think roses on Valentines Day brought you a good return, just wait until you take your 'little love nugget' a cup of coffee all wrapped in Love on a random day- sometimes I feel like I spoon feed you guys!

WEDDING FEVER

2011-02-11T12:20:00.001+02:00

Oh my lord, so it is officially wedding weekend! I cannot believe that my big sister is going to be waltzing down the isle tomorrow- very very surreal indeed. All the wedding stuffs are being done, cake is being made (by moi- literally having sleepless nights over this 5 tier vanilla monster that is haunting my dreams!) and everyone is sufficiently panic stricken and generally, "just too stressed to talk right now!" the favorite choice of words from mom.

I can't wait to share all the finer details with all of you and show you why I have been so quiet on the blog front lately. I promise you what I have lacked in the blogging department over the last month, I will make up to you in beautiful wedding extravaganza blog posts. All you soon to be brides hold your breath, you are soon to be inspired!

10 THINGS WITH NICOLA ASHE

2011-02-11T10:47:00.000+02:00

This weeks 10 things are with a girl who can only be described as bodacious! Nicola ashe of AskASHE is something of a firecracker with a nose like a bloodhound for a party. Her blog is packed full of all any number of quirky things which is what makes visiting her lovely blog on a daily basis all the more exciting.

1. describe yourself in 10 words ... raucous, naughty, bossy, organised, networker to the extreme, honest to a fault, voluptuous, creative, resourceful, ambitious

2. In real life, I am a single workaholic but I eventually want to be a domestic goddess

3. the weirdest thing I ever woke up wearing was false eyelashes – I had been too tipsy to take them off (AVOID this at all costs!)

4. at this moment the content of my handbag is comprised of ... makeup bag, notebooks, hand wipes, keys, blackberry, wallet, camera, date book, oh and a wide array of hair elastics in various degrees of stretchiness

5. 10 things I currently long for.... My own home with almost everything white, a white kitchenaid mixer, a weylandts expense account, a smitten boyfriend, a Victoria's Secret model's booty, an original Rob Ryan lasercut artwork, a rad vintage bicycle, a tattoo but I'm too scared, uncapped ADSL at home, a Jimmy Choo handbag (dream on!)

6. If I was a boy I would be a rock god!

7. I secretly luuuuuuurve The Bachelor/Bachelorette but have been to embarrassed to admit it (up until now that is)

8. If my house was on fire the first thing I would grab is my jewellery from my grandparents

9. Tequila or patron? (mixing them together is not an option) Coffee Patron - the devil's elixir, but we've partied together too many times for me to abandon him now

10. If I was stuck on an island where people could only eat 1 thing for the rest of their lives, I would eat Wow, only 1 thing? Ok I choose a filletwithcreamedspinachandlemonmeringue!

MACAROON VIRGINS PAY ATTENTION

2011-02-06T10:06:00.001+02:00

I'm so so excited, I have been itching to chat to you guys about this project for weeks but wanted to wait until everything was organised, doors were open and Macaroons were flying out the door before I let the big, luxurious cat out of the bag. The rumors are true, yes, Decadent Dani has opened in Durban (cue hysterical excitement) and yes, big news, I am official a part of the team!

Dani and I have teamed up to open one of her glorious stores in Heritage Market in Hillcrest (opposite Franki Bananas) so the people of Durban will no longer be suffering through a Macaroonless existence. I'm so stoked to be apart of something as big and historical as this, I feel like one of those laser eye surgeons who give people their sight back.

We have decided that in honor of our news, we are going to bring you a fab competition, where you could win yourself a big 'ol stash of Macaroons. All you have to do to enter is hit up our Facebook Fan Page, and wow us with your poetic prowess. Its pretty much as simple as that! For extra entries you can reblog or tweet our competition and post the link in the comment box below.

10 THINGS WITH: LAUREN OF GLOSSARYZINE

2011-02-01T21:29:00.002+02:00

SO, one of my new years resolutions this year was to get to know more local bloggers.
I have decided to do a fun, weekly, 10 things series, every week asking 10 things about different local bloggers, that way we can all get to know each other! I decided to pull out the big guns to get things started. Lauren of Glossaryzine fame is a blogger that I have admired for so long, her blog never ceases to make me giggle- just go and have a look at her photo shoot of the Bulldog in the Bow tie- can you cope! This girl is seriously talented and definitely someone to keep your eyeballs on. I do, everyday (I look at her blog everyday, I don't actually hunt her down to look at her in real life)

1. Describe yourself in 10 words... Awkward Adrian Mole fan with a penchant for sponge cake.

2. if money were no object i would... Scoop up my school friends from around the world and fly us to New York for a weekend of shopping!
3. The last thing I bought was...a Kodak Instamatics camera for 15 bucks!
4. I cannot live without...music and love.
5. When I was 10 I had a poster of McGyver on my wall!
6. When I have writers block I ...make a cup of tea and read a book or watch some telly.
7. My favorite thing to do on a sunny Saturday afternoon is a spot of market shopping or lazing with a funny book.
8. The cringiest thing I ever wore was - wow, so many corkers come to mind -
long, hippie skirts to nightclubs, cycling shorts to a Bon Jovie Concert, a Mario Bros
getup that I landed up wearing to a wedding by mistake!
9. My favorite guilty pleasure is South Park!
10. In 10 years time I hope to be happy and healthy with a few more travels under my belt.

HOUSE PORN

2011-02-01T21:00:00.001+02:00

So the reason I have been virtually dead to the digital world for the last 10 days is because the Bird and I moved flats and have been feverishly unpacking, rearranging, hanging pictures and doing all that jazz associated with the hell that is moving house! Anyway, the good news is that the basics are in, my internet is up- hooray - and now we get to spend the next few weeks making this pretty little flat ours, This is the vibe I am currently loving, now to try and reproduce it! Here goes...

PICS VIA HAUS MAUS AND DECOR8

45 MIN OF YOUR LIFE TO SAVE THE REST OF SOMEONE ELSES. IT IS A FAIR TRADE

2011-01-25T11:27:00.000+02:00

This morning I did something I have been meaning to do for years, it was one of those things that I would promise I would do every New Years Eve just before I stored it away in my 'to do box' never to be seen or heard of again. This attitude is simply not good enough. On Monday, I decided it was time to stop telling people what I planned to do and actually get off my ass and do it. I called the Sunflower Fund helpline 0800 12 10 82 and began the process of Registering on the Bone Marrow Registry. I chatted to a very helpful lady who spoke me through the whole procedure and took down all my details and told me to wait by my inbox for further instruction. I received my forms ( 1 simple form with a few questions) yesterday arvie which I promptly filled out and faxed back to them and hit up the local blood bank this morning for a little donation- its not like giving blood, you don't have to give liters and feint afterward they literally take 2 teaspoons of your life blood and off you go. That was all I had to do.

I'm sure that most people reading this post have been directly effected or know of someone close to them who has felt the staggering effects of this horrible disease. I'm sure that most of you have also put a reminder in your 'one day box' to get off your ass and get registered and are still meaning to do it. Well here is your chance, do it TODAY call the helpline, speak to the wonderful staff, and spend 45 minutes of your life in order to potentially save years for someone else. It will cost you nothing so there is no excuse.

BELLEVUE CAFE

2011-01-24T13:10:00.001+02:00

Last Friday, the Bird's sister, Heidi (the cool kid in the chinos) and I went for a little brekkie at the very talked about Bellevue Cafe in Kloof. We had been chatting about going for ages but I always kind of put it off as I felt a certain pang of guilt for Cheating on the now deceased Vanille with which I had a pretty long standing love affair. Run by Chris Black of Aubergine fame I always knew it was going to be great, I just wish I had confirmed my suspicions sooner as it would appear I have missed out on a whak of buttery pastries, thoughtful specials and really really great food.

The interrior of the cafe is really beautifully done, the same high ceilings still tower above you flooding the cafe in a warm light, the tables and furniture have been kept simple and stylish giving the room a very clean and calm ambiance, whilst the outside patio is filled with the sound of birds fussing and summer conversation.

Service was fantastic, our waiter was super attentive without being annoying, never once did I ask for my glass to be filled or a surface to be wiped and the guy seemed to know everything you could ever want to know about any ingredient or dish on the menu.

It is virtually impossible to go out for breakfast and get really good scrambled eggs anywhere, this really bugs me. My favorite breakfast (and often dinner) treat is scrambled eggs on Rye and it just so happens that Bellevue has just that on the menu so I decided to give it a bash. My eggs were creamy and delicious and the rye was lightly toasted so I didn't have to use a steak knife to cut through it. The portions were spot on and I was left feeling perfectly full. Other eats on the menu included sage and onion pork bangers with mustard mash, brown onion gravy and apple chutney and a prawn and baby marrow risotto with Parmesan and tomato chilli jam, the list goes on and on and I am going to keep going back until I have tried them all - after the wedding diet is over - of course!

Bellevue is definitely worth a visit.

GOINGS ON AT: BILLY THE BUMS

2011-01-24T12:15:00.000+02:00

STYLE CRUSH!

2011-01-21T11:59:00.002+02:00

My Blackberry Is Not Working!

2011-01-21T11:24:00.001+02:00

Yesterday the lovely Kendall from Distings mailed me this video and It had me in stitches. I have recently moved out of the Apple camp and in with those irritating BB people and I am not going to lie- worst move ever! But we are not going to get into that, what we are going to get into is some flipping hilarious Brit humor. Im sure the Queen is thinking about knighting these guys, they totally deserve it.

THE HANDSOME MENS CLUB

2011-01-14T14:51:00.001+02:00

Oh my lolly, get your earphones on, shut your office door (or climb under your desk if you live in cubicle city) stuff a sock in your mouth so that your collegues can't hear you laughing hysterically and watch this clip. Gold. I think I'm in love with Josh Hartnett.

THE GRAND COCKROACH SHOWDOWN.

2011-01-14T13:38:00.001+02:00

Oh my good lord Durban is being taken over by roaches. Not the small kind that you find frozen into your ice cubes at a certain Killer prawn joint, I'm talking about the cousins of those big ass Madagascan Hissing Cockroaches that Bear Grills likes on his toast. I am literally getting goosies just writing this down. Over the last week I have had 2 of the most revolting cockroach related ordeals that I think I have ever had in my life. I virtually lived that ad where Minki has to walk down the hall with a giant flapping Crayfish strapped to her forehead (except that my crayfish was not fake, and I didn't look at all hot while the incident was playing out.)

Ordeal numero uno:

3 days ago the bird and I had a lovely dinner, well he has a lovely dinner I was munching away on diet day 1 aka, a bowl of steamed cauliflower and a piece of chicken the size of a match box - gross - we watched some tv and hit the hay. Pretty much a peaceful evening resulting in me feeling very relaxed and generally ready to ease into sleep and wake up a new person. If only I had known. . .

3am: I lurch out of bed shaking my hands wildly around my now ghost white face whilst jumping up and down and pretty much doing a macabre Hokey Pokey.

The Bird shot out of bed ready to attack the attacker he now thinks is in our house because of my demon like behavior, burst into hysterical laughter as I burst into Tears - I am now on the floor in a shaky fetal position whispering Spider, Spider between sobs.

Basically what happened is one of those cousins of those big ass Madagascan Hissing Cockroaches that Bear Grills likes on his toast snuck into our bed crawled through my hair down my FACE and scuttled down my shoulder, pretty much sending me somewhere between orbit and heart failure. So basically come morning I awoke with a searing desire to get vengeance on any creepy crawly that came my way which brings me to

Horrific Ordeal number 2:

That Night, I came home from the savaging that is Thai Bo pretty much exhausted (due to sleeping with 1 eye open) I waltzed through the door only to be met by 2 beady little eyes framed with those scratchy little feelers, my nemesis had returned. In an instant I had a flash like that guy on chuck and saw the red colour of revenge - according to reports I actually looked that scuttly little sucker in the eyes and swore vengeance as my eyes glazed over. Anyway I swooped through to the kitchen, grabbed our doom and went marching back to war and some how, I don't quite know how that little cockroach understood that he was heading straight into a shit storm and the little hissing bastard jumped at me fluttering his siff little wings all over my nose which lead to me pretty much performing act 2 of last night performance but this time on the kitchen floor. In the mean time, the bird waltzed casually over to that cocky little insect who was now mesmerized by my behavior and casually assassinated him. All in all I'm over Cockroaches in a big way, I'm planning on getting one of those fumigation tents for our new place that cheeky cockroach doesn't stand a chance.

Nom, Nom, Nom, Lee Price, Nom, Nom, Nom

2011-01-13T10:42:00.000+02:00

So the engaged one's wedding is officially in 1 month, the count down has begun- eeek so excited. Hand in hand with the count down is the official wedding diet that I have embarked on. I'm on day 3 and Im already furious and feeling seriously sorry for myself. I am also finding myself attracted to anything food related which brings me to todays post.I was doing my blog rounds this am and I stumbled upon these beautiful/distubing images. I don't know what it is about them and I am not entirely sure yet if I love them or hate them but there is definitely something about them that has got my thoughts all tangled up. These aren't photos by the way (I know right unbelievable) They are actually paintings done by a girl called Lee Price. Lee's series explores the intimate relationship between women and their food, they are almost ritualistic?. I love the quiet guilt that radiates out of each bite. What do you think, you like em?

I really like this one, this pretty much captures what I will be doing when this wedding hell diet is over. Sort of a diet honeymoon if you will.

LONNY LOVIN

2011-01-12T13:05:00.000+02:00

Hello my lovelies, just to let you know that the latest Lonny Mag is out. It's a really lovely edition, I am completely in love with the story on the Lilly Pulitzer store- all the little doodles and bits and pieces, major major new house inspiration going on here. Anyway enjoy the read and keep your eyes out for the Chocolate Whoopie Pie recipe from the guys at Baked It is seriously good.

How glorious is this store?

TIME TO GET DECOR8-ING

2011-01-12T11:47:00.000+02:00

DECOR8 is a blog that i have been following for probably the longest. Infact, I think its' one of the first blogs I ever actually came across. Holly, the editor is a super talented woman who always seems to come up with the most remarkable and inspiring projects that adorn the walls of my dream home that I WILL have someday- sigh. Talking of Dream homes, the Bird and I are on the move hoorah! We are moving into a gorgeous new flat at the end of the month. I'm really looking foreword to all that 'out with the old in with the new', clean walls, fresh spaced vibing that is going to be flittering around my life for the next while and how convenient that dear Holly has introduced a brand new column called "Handmade Home" which will start next week. I'm going to be getting my Handmade on in a big way and can't wait to see what she has in store for me and my little housie. Here are some pics to get those taste buds going...

READY TO ROLL

2011-01-07T14:19:00.000+02:00

Pic via ffffound

Rightee hoo Tontorino's I would love to stick around and entertain y'all while you are stuck at work but I have wild plans and exciting expeditions on which to embark so I hope you all have a rad weekend. See you on Monday :)

MAKE MY LOGO BIGGER CREAM

2011-01-07T13:57:00.000+02:00

I was scrummaging around my treasure chest of things to do inorder to look like you are busy when you are actually screwing around at work, and I stumbled upon this baby. I can't believe I have not shared this with you guys yet as It's pretty magical stuff. This glorious little snippet is dedicated to Askashe who has had a supremely crappy friday. If you are a client, watch this and make sure you never repeat any words heard in this clip ever. Let this be a warning to you.

THE OLD MAC DADDY

2011-01-06T15:51:00.002+02:00

In between the mince pie baking, turkey basting, egg nog drinking scoff fest that is the Christmas season lies mine and the Bird's anniversary. In between all of the panicked cooking and wedding planning (The engaged one is set to become a missus in pretty much four weeks- eeeek) that is pretty much all that happens in my house hold these days. I wanted to whisk the Bird away for a glorious and romantic evening away from bbm, pastry brushes and the deranged shrieks of my mother to a quiet lace where we could chill out and do what ever we wanted with out being told what to do. So, sneaky woman that I am booked a night at the Old Mac Daddy trailer park, an outrageous Part wholesome caravan park, part designer farm lodge nestled between the apple orchards that comprise the Elgin valley.

The whole thing was a surprise- of course and the bird was surprised out of his socks! We were welcomed into our little trailer (The Kind Midas suite!) by a gorgeous bottle of Villera bubbly which we promptly drank while we gawked with open mouths at the Golden orb that was our trailer. The big idea around this place is that they got together a whole whak of air stream trailers (like the one Mcdreamy lived in for a while on Grey's) and they got some sa designers to think up their wildest trailer park fantasies and let them rip over these glorious trailers. What has resulted is a fantastic, hilarious and outrageously fun little holiday get away.

All in all we had the most wonderful time, the staff were crazy helpful and the little trailer was an absolute hoot. The one we stayed in was the most basic one they have (and the only trailer available) it comes with a very comfy bed, a shower and neat bathroom, a sink, stove and microwave- if you feel like getting your domestic on- and a pretty roomy fridge to store all your champers:) There are bigger trailers available and even a beautiful Villa (See piccie below) if you are keen to hit the road with afew mates (it sleeps 6 max).

This little get away comes highly recommended by DC - it is fun, affordable and a really romantic- the ideal anniversary, birthday, surprise awesome destination in Cape Town. Its also a pretty cool esacpe for the family with some rad hiking trails, dams to fish in and a general outdoorsy vibe. There are masses of distractions for the kiddies also allowing for some nookie time:) For more info check out their website.

2011-01-05T14:54:00.001+02:00

VIA makedo

So we are officially back (That's me the second bum I seem to have adopted in Cape town- sob) After a wonderful Christmas and New Years spent with my fam and the Bird. I hope that you did the same and are now ready to face the new year with a grrrr face, a hungry determination, and maybe a small detox plan:) I am really excited for the new year as there are heap fulls of exciting things on the horison for me and DC so I look foreword to another 365 days with you lovelies.

SUN KISSED NECTARINE TARTE TATIN

2010-12-16T22:03:00.000+02:00

7 Ripe and juicy nectarines

150g Brown sugar

Teaspoon of cinnamon

puff pastry

Pre-heat the oven to 180 degrees celcius.

Grab a 25cm tart tin and cut out a piece of grease proof paper (not wax paper) into a circle that fits into the base of the tart tin. Smother it in butter- don't be stingy.

Mix the brown sugar and cinnamon together in a little bowl and sprinkle the lot it into the base of the tart tin.

Cut the nectarines into more or less 1cm thick wedges and pack them side by side in a tight spiral until the whole tart tin is filled with a beautiful juicy nectarine spiral. Just remember that fruit shrinks when you cook it so don't be scared to really pack those juicy wedges in.

Unroll the puff pastry (I just used store bought woolies one) measure it and make sure it is big enough to drape over your nectarine spiral. If it is a little small gently roll it out. Using a sharp knife cut out a circle the size of the tart tin and drape the pastry over the fruit. Put it in the fridge for about 30 min to chill.

Once your Tarte Tatin is chilled put in in the oven on the centre rack and bake for about 35 minutes or until the pastry is golden and puffy and gorgeous. Take the pud out the oven and leave it to cool.

When the tart tin is cool enough to handle put a plate over the top and flip your tart right over onto the plate. Remove the tart tin and serve with some vanilla bean ice cream.

SANTA, BE A DARLING...

2010-12-10T16:54:00.000+02:00

Dear sweet, gorgeous Santa...

I luuurve a good magazine subscription, this year I'm gunning for WomensHealth. Before it launched in SA I used to buy the odd American one from CNA which I literally read, cooked, worked out from and pretty much loved them till their pages fell out so now that it has arrived on our shores I feel a little celebratory subscription is in order. Of course these things are always much more fun when someone else is buying:) thanks Santa.

Im in love with "Cloud Guy" 2009 by Frank. These little statues are such a hoot I have been lusting over them for years, maybe this year I'll get lucky:)

I think these cheeky little poppets would make the coolest gift to a mum or a friend. Salt pigs (as they are commonly known - best kitchen accessorize name ever) are so super useful and they just look so pretty. I personally am smitten with the Emile Henry (you can get them at that rad kitchen shop at the cape quarter - I forget the name help anyone?) and the Le Creuset one (via Yuppiechef If you are planning on buying one make sure you wrap it up next to a box of Maldon sea salt. Gifting an empty pig is like giving a kid a toy with no batteries.

Im of the belief that one can never ever have enough white takkies. They go with everything and anything and are a wardrobe staple that I firmly believe in. Now that I have successfully murdered 3 Mr P pairs, and 2 Country Road pairs I have decided to give Astore's Feiyue's a bash. I couldn't face leaving them to go stale in their shop window, that would just be cruel.

So that is about it in the Christmas Round up stakes for now but fear not my lovelies, tomorrow is another day and there are many gifts left to be lusted after.

DANIELA DOTAN - MACAROON GURU FROM HEAVEN

2010-12-10T12:09:00.001+02:00

Piccies by the lovely Kamini Pather of Deelishuss

I recently met the Macaroon wunderkind Daniela Dotan. I blogged about Decadent Dani's a little while ago and announced to the world that she would be opening in Durbs in December. I got completely beside myself with excitement, jumped the gun as usual and then the worst happened. Some hoochy sex shop opened right by her potential spot so she has had a few delays while she looks for a new store. She ensures me that she has found a bigger better more fab one so I'm not completely heart broken. So opening will be more around Feb- just in time for your man to spoil you on Vday (there is that great timing thing again!).

Now I consider myself to be quite the Macaroon connoisseur and let me tell you these little darlings in the picture look very lady-like and petite. As usual pictures lie! Dani's macaroons are like the Eva Mendez of macaroons. They are sexy and girly but they come with big curves and and a much fuller figure than the usual dainty jobs you see else wear. I even close my eyes and go oooohhhmmm like that irritating girl in the Aero ad when I eat them- They are that good!

Dani landed in Durbs last week and I jumped at the opportunity to grab a cup of coffee with her and make friends because well she is a macaroon guru and I am a macaroon addict so naturally we are destined to be bff's so i thought i would speed up the process. Dani arrived clutching a beautiful box bursting with heavenly macaroons and instantly won me over. I am so excited for Dani to open her store here so that the girls of Durbs can be introduced to the heaven that is a macaroon hang over and the warmth that is Dani Dotan.

FLIPPING MARVELOUS

2010-12-10T12:01:00.000+02:00

Hello hello my dears! ITS THE WEEKEND BABY:) This morning I got up to the most ridiculous beautiful day and hit the tarmac for regents (the best running club that Isn't really a running club in the whole world!) and then jumped in my car the moment Gareth burst into his weekend baby extravaganza- I love perfect timing. The mixture of Gareth's glorious announcement and the huge endorphin kick has me grinning like a fool and did I even mention that Christmas is just a stone's throw away? There is just too much to be happy about so if you are feeling grouchy today best you bugger off now because I am going to be irritating happy for the rest of today and I would hate to enrage you more.

IM DREAMING OF A GLAM CHRISTMAS

2010-11-30T17:32:00.001+02:00

Be warned, I am obsessed with Christmas! From now on there will be dangerous amounts of jingle bells, ho ho ho's and a sickening amount of cheer and general Christmas based hysteria oozing out of this blog so don't say I didn't warn you! What better way to start the official kick off to Christmas obsessing than with this glorious gold and silver Christmas decor...

Via Citified