My ♥ stopped at Sam Star*.

Lust-haves!

I've only just discovered Sam Star* and already I'm in luurve. She has already graced the pages of many mags and is a self-professed shoe addict (aren't we all?). The shoes are so well made and I adore the red detailing on some of the heels, very Sarah-Jessica. The exciting part is that Chica-Loca, Cavendish, now stocks them! Not only are they comfy, they'd be perfect with a wrap or cocktail dress to give any outfit a special touch. Chica-Loca also stocks Brazilian handbags, so be warned that your boyfriend might need to drag you kicking and screaming from this boutique. FAB-U-LOUS!


Find them at Chica-Loca! Shop Lg 65 Cavendish Square, Claremont CT. 021 6832172


These pics are all off the Sam Star* website.

My ♥ stopped at Fornarina.

Ladies living in JHB, I am SO envious of you! International fashion brand Fornarina has opened in Melrose Arch, and seems to be creating a buzz in fashion circles. The clothes remind me of Miss Sixty and Diesel but with a better looking price tag. Very chic leather jackets and sexy boots, perfect for a night out in Winter. 


Definitely worth checking out if you're in Jozi. For now, I look on lovingly from the Mother City.

My ♥ stopped when I read this.

In June of 1971, just days before his 26-year-old son, Michael, got married, future-U.S. President Ronald Reagan sent him the following letter of advice. I think it's one of the most insightful letters I've read. It made me sad and happy all at the same time.

Michael Reagan
Manhattan Beach, California
June 1971

Dear Mike:

Enclosed is the item I mentioned (with which goes a torn up IOU). I could stop here but I won't.

You've heard all the jokes that have been rousted around by all the "unhappy marrieds" and cynics. Now, in case no one has suggested it, there is another viewpoint. You have entered into the most meaningful relationship there is in all human life. It can be whatever you decide to make it.

Some men feel their masculinity can only be proven if they play out in their own life all the locker-room stories, smugly confident that what a wife doesn't know won't hurt her. The truth is, somehow, way down inside, without her ever finding lipstick on the collar or catching a man in the flimsy excuse of where he was till three A.M., a wife does know, and with that knowing, some of the magic of this relationship disappears. There are more men griping about marriage who kicked the whole thing away themselves than there can ever be wives deserving of blame. There is an old law of physics that you can only get out of a thing as much as you put in it. The man who puts into the marriage only half of what he owns will get that out. Sure, there will be moments when you will see someone or think back to an earlier time and you will be challenged to see if you can still make the grade, but let me tell you how really great is the challenge of proving your masculinity and charm with one woman for the rest of your life. Any man can find a twerp here and there who will go along with cheating, and it doesn't take all that much manhood. It does take quite a man to remain attractive and to be loved by a woman who has heard him snore, seen him unshaven, tended him while he was sick and washed his dirty underwear. Do that and keep her still feeling a warm glow and you will know some very beautiful music. If you truly love a girl, you shouldn't ever want her to feel, when she sees you greet a secretary or a girl you both know, that humiliation of wondering if she was someone who caused you to be late coming home, nor should you want any other woman to be able to meet your wife and know she was smiling behind her eyes as she looked at her, the woman you love, remembering this was the woman you rejected even momentarily for her favors.

Mike, you know better than many what an unhappy home is and what it can do to others. Now you have a chance to make it come out the way it should. There is no greater happiness for a man than approaching a door at the end of a day knowing someone on the other side of that door is waiting for the sound of his footsteps.

Love,

Dad

P.S. You'll never get in trouble if you say "I love you" at least once a day.

Found on a beautiful blog called Letter of Note. 

My ♥ stopped at Mr & Mrs.

New winter dresses by Mr & Mrs on Kloof. Find them on facebook (here). Love love loving that red scarf.

Jewellery ♥-stopper: a merry mishap.

Aren't these rings beautiful? I sometimes feel like chunky jewellery looks strange on me (I have very small fingers) but these rings don't look too over-the-top. They're from amerrymishap, and won't break the bank. 

Love.

My ♥ stopped at De Oude Bank in Stellenbosch.

The Easter weekend brought with it buckets of rain. And so, we decided to meet a friend at a very cosy spot in Stellenbosch for lunch. De Oude Bank Bakkerij is one of those gems you stumble upon and the type of place that you can spend hours in. The decor is old-school and rustic and true to the history of the place. 

I discovered that the owner, Fritz Schoon, worked under Markus Farbinger at Ile de Pain, which makes complete sense! I adore Ile de Pain (Knysna) and De Oude Bank is equally as wonderful. 

Eat Out had this to say:

"Markus is considered by many as the best baker in the country, and his disciples are easy to spot, owing mostly to their dedication and passion for bread. Fritz is no exception, and he churns out faultless ciabatta, sourdough, dark rye, baguettes, breadsticks and more. Guests are encouraged to grab some bread and use it as the hero for their meal. From there you choose a few of the excellent condiments to smear on top. The award-winning Jamon ham from Jason Lucas is a must, as is the soft and creamy buffalo mozzarella. Other options include blue gum honey, Black Forest ham, various cheese varieties, beef salami, Namibian biltong, mustard glaze, olive tapenade, and shitake mushroom pesto. It’s a refreshingly simple, utterly delicious way to eat."

We ordered a range of goodies, sourdough, ciabatta, olive tapenade, slow roasted tomatoes, Bree, cream cheese, salami, jam, olive sticks and more. The food is served on wooden boards and even the teaspoons are unique and delightful. There is something so amazing about ordering loads of little things and combining them to create a feast. And feast we did. I ate like it was the first time I'd seen food and so I could barely move afterwards.

The wines are all local, and from boutique estates. They rest on beautiful thick wooden shelves, and are surrounded by hanging meats and stacked breads. 

The total bill (for 3 of us) including drinks and red cappuccinos came to R200! R200! INSANE. And really, we kept ordering more and more and more. 

The great part is that everything is also for sale in the restaurant, so we took extra home.

De Oude Bank is the type of place you visit again and again. It's South African food at its finest and the cosy atmosphere (including the small amount of tables) just adds to this Stellenbosch MUST. 

Find De Oude Bank at 7 Church Street, Stellenbosch, 021 883 2187. 

(top pic from capetownmagazine.com)

My ♥ stopped at Woolworths.

R999

R599

R499

R399

R299

We've all noticed the recent weather change. Colder in the mornings and the evenings, the urge to turn on the electric blanket at night. Winter is coming to Cape Town (even if most of Cape Town is still in denial). We're also in for some beautiful Winter days, the days when it's just chilly enough to wear boots and a cardigan, but not cold enough to turn your lips blue (that's still coming). I'm on the boot hunt again, and I always seem to migrate back to Woolworths for this. I've got my eye on the top pair of boots, I just need to convince myself that R1000 is worth it, like telling myself "I'll spend less on dinners out" or "I won't buy that face product", sigh, the lies we tell ourselves. They really do make great boots though. Woolworths used to be the store that made the basics, the kind of store you'd go to to buy that "white tee" or "those pajama pants". Times have definitely changed, and the game has definitely been upped with the help of Country Road and Trenery. I adore Country Road bags and shoes.

Get all of these and more, when you wander over here.

xxx

My ♥ stopped when I realised it's almost Easter.

What's everyone up to this Easter weekend? I hope you will all be spoilt rotten with Lindt Easter bunnies with bells around their necks (secret hope of mine). 

A few things I'll be getting up to this weekend:

• Making a decision about whether to read "Freedom - Jonathan Franzen" or "Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close - Jonathan Foer. I recently finished "Epilogue" by Mary Roiphe, it was everything and a slice of chocolate cake. Loved it in other words.
• Reclining on the sofa to watch "The Beginners". Not 100% sure what it's about but the word is it's good.
• Making potato salad with a feta, Bulgarian yoghurt and mustard dressing. A touch of salt and pepper. Wish me luck.
• Meeting friends for a pizza. It's predicted to rain quite a bit this weekend so this will be the PERFECT evening. Snug and cosy and extra cheese.
• Hanging pictures in the study. This is my Everest at the moment. I have some mental block towards doing it, so I will persevere and hopefully be able to show you the results.
• Wake up ridiculously late on Monday morning, because I can! YIPPEEE!

Have a wonderful Easter all. May it be filled with friends, family and food. 3 ingredients for a happy life.

xxx

(image from Pinterest).

♥ stopper.

What else is there?






(Found here)

My ♥ stopped at Dieu Donne.

You may have noticed that I've been missing for the last week and a bit. I was lucky enough to take a week off to spend time with my family before my brother's wedding. It's not often that everyone can be in the same place at the same time, because we all live busy lives and live far away from each other. 

My sister-in-law is super creative and I just knew this wedding was going to be filled with details and beautiful touches throughout. And of course I was right. The (now) married couple met at Dieu Donne in Franschhoek, where he was the chef and she the pastry chef. If you haven't been to Dieu Donne, I suggest you choose a Saturday morning and head out into the beautiful mountains. The wine estate is situated at the top of Franschhoek, and overlooks the valley. The view is breathtaking from up there and the PERFECT backdrop for a wedding. I don't have photos to share with you yet, because the wedding was on Saturday, but as soon as I do, I will post about it. 

There is something so special about the area, almost lost in time. The streets are clean and everywhere you look creative people have set themselves up and are trading. It really does remind you of Europe. 

We stayed at Le Franschhoek Hotel, which is just passed the monument at the end of the main road. It was superb! Leafy and green and tucked away, the Hotel is surrounded by birds and squirrels and makes a nice change from the city. The villas are spacious and have a slight old-world feel about them. The type of place you could hide away for some time off. And of course, the food in Franschhoek is top-notch. It seems all great chefs culminate here and there is no such thing as a bad dish. I also discovered that you won't find a take-away franchise in Franschhoek, they don't allow it, interesting and a sign of how seriously they protect their culinary magic. 

I've been to Franschhoek many times before, but this time was the most special and it was difficult to come home yesterday. We live in a beautiful country, get out and go and experience it. Years from now, you will feel lucky that you got to see the open spaces, because chances are many new buildings and homes will replace them. 

My ♥ stopped when I saw these Summer dresses.

Don't these women look amazing? At first glance, you think they're wearing a skirt and white top, when in fact, they're wearing dresses! My favourite is the green one. I'd love to pair it with gold sandals and accessories. The perfect outfit for meeting a friend for lunch, or a summery breakfast. LOVE! It's going to be getting colder in Cape Town soon, and we'll be bringing out the boots and tights no doubt, but until then, I'm going to enjoy long skirts and long lazy days.

You can buy one, here, for about R1000.

xxx

My ♥ stopped at Mr and Mrs.

Mr and Mrs on Kloof definitely deserves a visit:

"After a year of travelling through Indonesia, Argentina and India Cecil and Sarah Jane Bosman have returned to open their new store on Kloof street, Cape Town - Mr and Mrs Lifestyle and Design. The store is a treasure trove of beautiful cottons, ceramics, jewellery, furniture and clothing. Mr and Mrs Hosts a range of South African fashion designers including I Love Leroy , Take Care , Two , Silverspoon, Amanda Laird Cherry , Christopher Strong and Missibaba. Mr and Mrs stocks something for everyone, their current stock includes: hot summer fashion ranges by leading local designers, giftware, homeware, jewellery as well as imported furniture."

The rings, oh the rings! I am in love with gold at the moment. They're 22 Carat double micron gold plated beautifulness! I have a birthday coming up next month, so I think I should drop a few hints for one of those. 

Mr and Mrs is opening their online store soon (much to the detriment of many a credit card). You can find it here. The store is located where Heartworx used to be on Kloof. 

Truly lovely stuff.

My ♥ stopped at Still Life.

Lunch times have become exploring times. I'm lucky enough to work in Kloof Street, which means I am so close to so many amazing stores. On a beautiful day, walking down Long Street and discovering new places to eat and shop is a must for myself and a few friends. We've formed a 'lunch club' and we make it our mission to taste everything Cape Town has to offer. Well Kloof Street has to offer for now. Yesterday we made our way down to Still Life on Long, to see owner Karen's new range. It doesn't disappoint! Faves include the multi-coloured babies and that GORG white cat (top right). She also boasts one of the biggest ranges of lampshades in CT, made with beautiful fabrics. 


I have to ration myself when venturing into Still Life and yesterday was punishment right before payday. There's something for every home in this store. You'll love it. I promise.

My ♥ stopped at Moth.

Just a taste of what you can find at the Lot in Canal Walk. I adore Moth clothing, and am a regular at Wardrobe on Kloof, where I bought myself the most amaze brown belt. The clothes are super feminine and always on trend. *please hurry payday*




(pics from here)

My ♥ stopped when I discovered Mary Oliver

Wild Geese 
You do not have to be good.
You do not have to walk on your knees
for a hundred miles through the desert repenting.
You only have to let the soft animal of your body
love what it loves.

Tell me about despair, yours, and I will tell you mine.
Meanwhile the world goes on.
Meanwhile the sun and the clear pebbles of the rain
are moving across the landscapes,
over the prairies and the deep trees,
the mountains and the rivers.
Meanwhile the wild geese, high in the clean blue air,
are heading home again.

Whoever you are, no matter how lonely,
the world offers itself to your imagination,
calls to you like the wild geese, harsh and exciting —
over and over announcing your place
in the family of things.


Mary Oliver - Dream Work


(pic from Google)

Jewellery He♥rtstopper: Collect Coins

Today I received a mail about Collect jewellery's latest range, the Vintage Coin Collection.

I think there's is something so romantic about coins, layered in memories and intricate in design. Some people collect them or have them passed down to them. Others have memories about what certain coins meant to them at some time in their lives. Me, I remember getting R2 from my mom in junior school, I remember that this R2 could go very far, and could buy me many things at the tuck shop. Now, it's almost too little to tip a car guard. But then it was my treasure.

Collect's new range is definitely something to consider when getting someone a special gift, something sentimental yet current. I also LOVE the pocket-watch-style silver chains. 

 ''... Consider the journey of  coin, the tales it could tell, the people it has seen, carrying with it a collection of precious memories over time....the French Franc that bought an entry to the MoulinRouge, an Indian Rupee that perhaps Ghandi purchased spices with, the Mexican Peseta that Frida Khalo bought roses with, or even the South African Cent that passed through the hands of our Grandparents? How precious to have and hold a piece of such exquisite history..."

The small tikkie starts at R600 and goes up to +- R1200 for the XL ones. Perfect as an extra-special gift for an extra-special someone. 

The best part is, you can bring in your own coin and have it set,  which makes it even more special and relevant.

Beautiful. 

Find Collect Jewellery here xxx