Gift Ideas - Inspired Living SA

Shimansky Christmas Gift Guide

I was recently invited on a tour of the stunning Shimansky Showroom and Diamond Muesum in the Clock Tower, in the V&A Waterfront. I felt like a wide-eyed kid at Christmas! To be surrounded by such beauty and perfection, was somewhat of a surreal experience…

The Shimansky brand owes its success to founder, designer and creator, Yair Shimansky. After embarking on a career in the jewellery industry in Japan as a young man, Yair started his own business selling jewellery at a Durban market. He then went on to open his first store in 1994.

In just two decades, the brand has expanded to include several jewellery stores located throughout South Africa. Shimansky has their own jewellery design and manufacturing workshop, a diamond cutting and polishing factory. You will also find Cape Town’s only dedicated Diamond Museum, based in the Clock Tower Precinct, at the Waterfront.

As well as finding out about the history of diamonds and discovering more about the Shimansky journey, I had the opportunity of viewing some of the most exquisite pieces of jewellery! After my first hand experience and as part of my Holiday Gift Guide, I thought I would share a few of Yair Shimansky handpicked gift ideas.

Shimansky Christmas Gift Guide

Below you will find a gorgeous selection of the world’s most desired gemstones, Diamonds and Tanzanite. Not only the birthstone of December, Tanzanite is also the perfect Festive Season gift as it is 1000 times rarer than diamonds – making this the gift that will undoubtedly be remembered. Nothing can create more happiness—and bring you closer to the girl in your life—than the perfect gift, given in the perfect way.

Dancing Diamond Heart Pendant

Dancing Diamond heart pendant set with a round brilliant cut diamond in white gold. Recommended Retail Price: starting from R3,995.

Dancing Tanzanite Pendant

Dancing Tanzanite heart pendant set with a round tanzanite in white gold. Recommended Retail Price: starting from R3,995

My Girl Cross Pendant in White Gold

My Girl diamond 0.54tcw cross pendant set in white gold. Recommended Retail Price: starting from R12,995

My Girl Cross Pendant in Rose Gold

My Girl diamond 1.10tcw cross pendant set in rose gold. Recommended Retail Price: starting from R19,995.

My Girl Lucky 8 Pendant in White Gold

My Girl diamond 0.80tcw Lucky 8 circle pendant set in white gold. Recommended Retail Price: starting from R19,995.

My Girl Lucky 8 Pendant in Rose Gold

My Girl diamond 0.80tcw Lucky 8 circle pendant set in rose gold. Recommended Retail Price: starting from R19,995.

My Girl Microset Halo Earrings

My Girl diamond and microset halo earrings 0.70tcw set in white gold. Recommended Retail Price: starting from R29,995

My Girl Three Stone Drop Earrings

My Girl diamond drop earrings 1.00tcw set in white gold. Recommended Retail Price: starting from R29,995

My Girl Diamond Microset Halo Ring in White Gold

My Girl diamond and microset halo ring 0.53tcw set in white gold. Recommended Retail Price: starting from R29,995

My Girl Diamond Microset Halo Ring in Rose Gold

My Girl diamond and microset halo ring 0.53tcw set in rose gold. Recommended Retail Price: starting from R29,995

My Girl Diamond Diagonal Microset Halo Ring

My Girl diamond and microset halo ring 0.50tcw set in white gold. Recommended Retail Price: starting from R27,995.

I hope you have been inspired by these stunning pieces of jewellery and are dropping big hints with you loved ones! Perhaps share the link with them to help them get inspired!

Details and Location:

For any queries or to book a tour of the Diamond Museum, please email [email protected] or call +27 (0)21 421 2488. ADDRESS: Level 1, The Clock Tower, Waterfront, Cape Town, 8001, South Africa

Gift Ideas, Gift Stores, Lifestyle, Slider

Spirit Beyond Words – Cavendish Square

You may recall my FRESH Beyond Words display I created at Cavendish Square recently. Well it is time for the next instalment! The Beyond Words campaign launched in June and will run until the 13th December. As part of the campaign, Cavendish have asked me to create a “lifestyle” display for each of the Beyond Words themes. The theme for this month is SPIRIT Beyond Words. You are able to view the display on level P1 until the 23rd November.

Spirit Beyond Words

Inspired Living brings you gift & festive inspiration Beyond Words – to help you get into the Festive Spirit!

My inspiration for this display, came mostly from my love of Christmas! It has always been one of my favourite times of year. One of the best parts is decorating our home and making it Christmasy. It is something the whole family enjoys doing!

The main colour scheme I chose for my display is red and silver. Each year I like to decide on a specific colour scheme and carry that through from the tree decorations, to table decor, as well as the wrapping I use. In my display I kept the decorations on the tree to a minimum. I do not like over decorated trees! {that is my personal preference – if you prefer more then go for it!}

Fabulous Christmas in Cavendish has the most wonderful selection of Christmas Decorations. I could spend hours and a great deal of money in their shop!

Another aspect of the festive season I love is giving gifts. This can often be a rather frustrating task! Finding that “perfect” gift, especially as the shops get more crowded. The best way to stay sane, is to get your shopping sorted early. As well some festive decor inspiration, I thought I would share a few awesome gift ideas – to help you find that “perfect” gift! Please go and visit the Beyond Words display on P1 to see my SPIRIT Beyond Words look and get your dose of festive inspiration.

As well as being a wonderful source of inspiration, the Beyond Words Campaign offers shoppers the opportunity of winning prizes to the value of R400 000! You can enter at Cavendish Square on P1 from the 9th June until the 13th December 2015.

Items featured in Spirit Beyond Words Display:

Milk & Blue Scarf – Poetry
White & Read Scarf – Poetry
Comfort Book -Poetry
All Sorts of Salads Book – Poetry
A Homegrown Table Book – Poetry
4 Pack Painted Candles – Poetry
Pocket Note Books in Box – Poetry
Felt Angel – Fabulous Christmas
Melodie Stripe Cotton Towels – Poetry
Small Red Topiary Tree – Biggie Best

Slatted Bowl with Objet Balls – Loads of Living
Felt Angel – Fabulous Christmas
Silver Tall Candle Holder & Red Candle – Mr Price Home
Tea-light Candle Holders – Biggie Best
Standing Clock – Loads of Living
Small Red Topiary Tree – Biggie Best
Welcome Home Reed Diffuser – Loads of Living
Welcome Home Jar Candle – Loads of Living
Welcome Home Room Spray – Loads of Living
Welcome Home Scented Sachets – Loads of Living

Red Leather Handbag – Fossil
Red Leather Purse – Fossil
Beige Leather Purse – Fossil
Ladies Watch on Leather Strap – Fossil
Father Christmas – Fabulous Christmas
Octagon Mirrored Tray – Loads of Living
Gents Leather Wash Bag – Fossil
Gents Leather Wallet – Fossil
Gents Leather Bill Folder – Fossil
Gents Watch on Leather Strap – Fossil

Santa Biscuit Plate – Mr Price Home
Red Metal Bucket – Fabulous Christmas
Christmas Stocking – Mr Price Home
Felt Christmas People – Biggie Best
Painted Crate – Biggie Best
Rocking Horse – Fabulous Christmas

Hanging Christmas Sign – Mr Price Home

Christmas Tree & Decor -Fabulous Christmas

Large Red Topiary Trees – Biggie Best

For more gift inspiration visit the Inspired Living Gift Guide.

Image Source: Cavendish Square and Inspired Living

Competitions, Design & Decor, Gift Ideas

Win with Sugar and Vice

Sugar and Vice Mother’s Day Competition ~

This is a competition I wish I could enter! To celebrate Mother’s Day, Sugar and Vice, my new favourite homeware brand, have sponsored one of their amazing salad platters as a prize! YAY!

Sugar and Vice manufactures and sells really cool and original home decor for the house-proud. Each and every product is made from quality material, locally sourced and manufactured, so you can decorate your life with proudly South African products.

Sugar and Vice is a place WHERE vintage meets nouveau, pretty meets practical and tattoos meet teapots. Locally sourced materials and craftsmanship is WHY Sugar and Vice is not only affordable but proudly South African, as well.

Find out more about these and other unique Mother’s Day gift ideas, by visiting the Sugar and Vice website. You will find everything from trendy teapots, to lovely linen or a platter for her growing dinner service.

To enter our Mother’s Day competition and win the Protea Dreams Salad Bowl from Sugar and Vice please follow the simple steps below and use the Rafflecopter form to complete your entry:

Like Sugar and Vice and Inspired Living SA on Facebook.
Tweet: I have entered to win a @sugarandviceSA Protea Dreams Salad Bowl from @Inspired_lifeSA
Leave a comment below telling me what your favourite Sugar and Vice Collection is {i.e. Protea Dreams, Sugar Skulls etc.}
Please ensure you read the *Terms & Conditions below carefully, to ensure you comply with all the entry criteria.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

*Terms & Conditions:

By entering this competition you automatically accept all the Terms and Conditions laid out below.

Entries are open from 29th April 2015 until the 9th May 2015 the winner will be announced on the 11th May 2015!
You must complete all the steps as stipulated above: Leave a Comment, Like and/or Share on Facebook and/0r Tweet about the competition.
To ensure that your entry is processed correctly (please use a valid email address). Your details will only be used to validate your entry and inform you, if you are selected as a winner.
This competition is only open to South African residents and to readers who have not won a competition on Inspired Living SA in the past 6 months.
Entries will be considered incomplete and thus disqualified if the entrant does not provide all requested information. Entry information will not be shared with any third party without the entrant’s prior knowledge and consent. The prize, a Sugar and Vice Protea Dreams Salad Bowl worth R620, will go to the first name selected at random after the closing date.
The prize is not transferable and may not be exchanged for cash.
By “Liking” you enter and agree that this promotion is in no way associated with, administered by, or endorsed by Facebook; and acknowledge a complete release of Facebook by your participation.

Celebrations, Gift Guide, Gift Ideas, Lifestyle

On My Birthday Wishlist

I do not know many people who do not like birthdays! Yes, it signifies another year passed and getting older but for me, it means getting to act like a kid again! Blowing out candles, opening gifts and best of all bossing everyone around for a day. I probably do that anyway, but at least now I have a licence to do it! I thought it would be fun to share a few of the things on my Birthday Wishlist. [Read more…]

Gift Ideas, Lifestyle, Proudly South African

Melrose & Co

I can spend hours buying gifts for friends and loved ones but I do believe, that you need to spend time on the packaging, as well as the gift selection! I probably spend as much time buying gift bags, wrapping and cards, as I spend on the actual gift buying.

I was delighted when Wilna, from Melrose & Co contacted me and asked whether she could send me a few of her gorgeous cards and gift tags!

Wilna’s creativity and love of pretty paper is very evident in her gorgeous creations. She started out making cards for friends and family, who eventually encouraged her to sell her cards. She uses plain and patterned paper to create her cards and may even up-cycle, bits of magazine pages, for a vintage feel.

There is something for everyone in the Melrose & Co. card selection and Wilna has also created a very cute, Safari and Farm range, of children’s cards and gift tags.

If you would like to look at more cards in the range you can visit the Melrose & Co website by clicking here or alternatively you can visit these stores:

Fab Things ~ Newlands, Cape Town
Ancient Routes ~ Pinelands, Cape Town
Present Time ~ Constantia Village, Cape Town
22 On Oxford ~ Durbanville, Cape Town
Willowbrook ~ Bryanston, Johannesburg
House and Homeware, Fourways, Johannesburg

Or visit their store on the Hello Pretty website.

Disclaimer: The cards were sent to me free of charge for review purposes to read my PR & Disclosure Policy, in more detail, please click here.