Lifestyle - 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

Entertainment, Lifestyle, Out & About, Slider

Singin in the Rain splashes into South Africa

I am super excited to share some wonderful news with you! Singin in the Rain will be splashing onto the stage in South Africa, just in time for the festive season!

Singin in the Rain

Singin’ in the Rain, another critically acclaimed, award-winning production direct from London’s West End, will be produced and presented in South Africa by Pieter Toerien.

After great success in the UK, Singin in the Rain is now touring internationally, with a stellar South African cast. The show is currently playing to sell-out houses in Hong Kong, after wowing audiences in New Zealand, the Philippines and Singapore! Now it is South Africa’s turn!

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This superb production is sure to delight audiences in both Cape Town and Johannesburg. The stage production is base on the iconic 1952 MGM movie, set in 1927, made famous by Gene Kelly and Debbie Reynolds. Singin’ in the Rain is a brilliant comedy about the film industry, with its egomaniac stars, monstrous film moguls, fickle fans, classic ‘golden-era’ moves and slapstick humour.

The production is packed full of the charm, romance, comedy and tinsel town glamour! It features wonderful tap dancing sequences, with all the well-known songs from the glorious MGM score. The magical Singin’ In The Rain scene, where it rains live onstage, is one of the big highlights of the show. If you are sitting in the front rows {the splash zone} prepare to leave the show a little wetter than when you arrived!

Musical theatre star Bethany Dickson, who hails from Cape Town, stars as the aspiring actress Kathy Selden. Kathy stars opposite Grant Almirall, who makes his debut as the charming Don Lockwood. The cast of 27 includes Steven van Wyk as Cosmo Brown, Taryn-Lee Hudson as Lina Lamont, James Borthwick as RF Simpson, Mark Richardson as Roscoe Dexter and Anne Power as Dora.

I am not sure about you but I am really excited to see the production because I know it is going to be a great deal of fun!

Ticket Sales and Performance Details:

This is definitely a production you do not want to miss – so get in early and buy your tickets now! Singin’ in the Rain will be at the Artscape Opera House in Cape Town, from 11 December 2015 to 10 January 2016. Performances are Tuesdays to Fridays at 7:30pm, Saturdays at 2:30pm and 7:30pm and Sundays at 1:30pm and 6:30pm. There is one 5:00pm show on Sunday 13 December. Tickets cost from R100 via Computicket, 08619158000 or Artscape box office via 0214217695. Block bookings of 20 or more qualify for a discount. For further queries email [email protected].

Please note, the first 3 rows of the stalls (A – C) are designated as the “splash zone” where there is a strong chance of a shower during the show’s big number. To avoid getting wet, please do not select seats in these rows.

Disclosure Ranking: 3

Slider, Wine, Wine Farms

Bosman Family Vineyards – Bosman Release 2015

Grant and recently ventured off to Bosman Family Vineyards in Wellington, for the annual Bosman Release Celebration.

Aeropress – Coffee on the Go

As you know I love coffee! It has become such an obsession of mine. To such an extent, that I cannot go away without some sort of espresso maker in-tow! Lugging a coffee maker around, especially if space and electrical supply is limited, is not always practical. Enter the Aeropress!

Aeropress

I have heard so much about the Aeropress, that when I was offered to review it, I jumped at the chance! The AeroPress has fast become the cult brew method, of coffee lovers in South Africa and abroad. Due to the fact that its is easy to use, portable and 2-3times faster that pour over dripper, French press or syphon. There is also less sediment than with Italian mocha pots & French press.

This versatile coffee brewing option is unlike alternative manual brew methods, which demand very specific coarseness of grind to work. The AeroPress is less sensitive to grind size making it workable with any size coffee grind.

One of the main features, which I think is great is that it is Non-electric. It is also easy to clean!

What makes the AeroPress coffee maker so uniquely special?

Its patented dual brewing method is so advanced, its shared only with the most expensive commercial espresso machines. It’s this staged dual brewing method (immersion then pressure) that allows you to consistently extract more flavour quicker than any other manual brewing method such as pour over drippers, plunger coffee or french press, syphon, Italian mocha pot.

Stirring freshly ground coffee into hot water allows the coffee time to swell, and agitate and absorp into the water. Then plunging pressurizes the brew, evenly extracting more flavour in under a minute.

The micro-fiber filter papers removes all sediment and fines to ensure a perfectly clean cup, unlike Italian mocha pots and plungers/french press. It is light weight, compact and made from BPA free food safe plastic. All these features make it the perfect travel partner!

How to Use

The method is fairly simple, once you get the hang of it. After watching a few how-to videos, the above method seems the most practical and user friendly.

Place the paper filter, in the filter holder and prime with hot water. Then add your desired amount of coffee – the recommended amount is 15-20grams but I think I may require a bit more as I like strong coffee.

Add hot water to cover the coffee grind, then stir. Top up with hot water and then secure the filter.

Once the filter is in place, turn the Areopress around and place over a cup or jug, then press the plunger.

Hey presto you have a cup of freshly brewed coffee!

Verdict

I think the Aeropress is easy to use and being portable it ticks all the boxes for me. The only thing I need to work on is the ratio of coffee I am using, as the coffee was too weak for me. I did grind my own beans and I think perhaps I need to use a darker roast.

If you have used the Aeropress I would love to hear your thoughts – please leave a comment below. For more details or to purchase an Aeropress please visit the More Flavour Website. RRP 695.

Disclosure Ranking:2

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