Lifestyle - Inspired Living SA

The Kirstenbosch Crown Jewels

As part of their Centenary Year celebrations, Kirstenbosch Gardens, with the help of South African award winning jewellers, have created the Kirstenbosch Crown Jewels. The jewellery collection is inspired by the biodiversity found in Kirstenbosch; the flora and fauna, which have made the gardens famous.

The Crown Jewels have been created, by seven of South Africa’s leading awarding winning jewellers, which include Uwe Koetter; Platandia; Prins and Prins; Peter Gilder; Cari Mari; Vijay Shah and Kirti Jewellers. This is a one of a kind collection!

I was invited to attend the unveiling of these gorgeous creations, which you can see below:

…this is so beautiful, don’t you agree!

There is even something for the guys!

Last but not least the most stunning Tiara, if you are getting married then this could be just the piece for you!

The Crown Jewels are currently on show at the Cape Grace Hotel, at the V&A Waterfront. The jewels will go on auction on the 17th June 2014 at the Old Mutual Conference Centre, Kirstenbosch. Before the bidding begins, guests will be treated to canapes and cocktails, followed by a short speech and then the auction will begin. Funds raised at the auction will be going towards educational projects that SANBI and BotSoc present, the collection is ‘one of a kind’ and bound to be envied and coveted by those who miss out.

Please contact the auctioneers if you are an interested buyer wishing to attend this auction. To attend this auction and for enquiries regarding absentee or telephone bids, please contact Strauss & Co: [email protected] or call 072 337 8405.

For further information contact the project originator – Christopher Reader on 021 762 2739 or 082 491 0344

Celebrations, Lifestyle, Local, Romantic Getaways, Travel, Weddings

Joy Wedding Venue at Gelukkie in Paternoster

We recently attended the launch of Joy Wedding Venue at Gelukkie in Paternoster. For those of you who have never been, Paternoster is a Seaside town, up the West Coast, approximately 2 hours from Cape Town.

Joy is the latest addition to Gelukkie, a smallholding situated just outside the town of Paternoster. Gelukkie is truly what I would call a hidden gem and is one of those rare, romantic places, which allows you to completely escape from the real world! As well as the recent addition of the wedding venue, Gelukkie boasts two beautifully appointed cottages.

Gelukkie is also home to owners Ruth and Andrew, a couple who have dedicated their lives to building a place, which is both unique and rather special!

Joy the aptly named venue, is the perfect setting for a magical wedding experience. The seaside location lends itself so well to creating an atmosphere, which is both elegant and relaxed. I love the simplicity of the traditional white washed-architecture, sage shutters and natural wood accents.

As well as gorgeous surroundings, a passionate and experienced family team, will ensure everything runs smoothly. A kitchen renowned for its excellent Fire Food is all you need to complete this picture.

The two beautifully decorated cottages, Klein Gelukkie and Nog ‘N Gelukkie, allow the bridal party the convenience of staying over at the venue. Paternoster itself, offers a wealth of additional accommodation options, for guests.

We had the good fortune of spending the night at Klein Gelukkie, after the event. What a spoil 🙂

Klein Gelukkie is a spacious self-catering cottage, containing a king size double bed, chill out room, dining area and fully functional kitchen. The decor is wonderfully quirky and the space is both cosy and inviting.

The kitchen opens out onto a beautifully landscaped private garden, which includes braai facilities.

Gelukkie offers the use of the Joy functions venue, semi-enclosed Garden Room, outdoor garden area and bar, as well as the services of wedding co-ordinator Cindy. You will also have the services of decorator and cook Ruth, and Byron and Andrew who will ensure that the food and bar services run like clockwork.

A variety of wedding packages are available and can be tailored to suit your specific needs. The team is on hand at every function to make sure that the bridal couple and their guests have a wedding experience, which only a sanctuary like Gelukkie can provide.

Visit the Gelukkie Website to find out more about celebrating your wedding, birthday or anniversary there or contact Cindy on 071 881 2831 or via email to arrange to visit and experience to magic of Gelukkie.

A big thank you to Cindy and her team for a wonderful afternoon and the use of their gorgeous accommodation!

Disclosure Ranking: 4

Cape Town Lifestyle, Entertainment, Lifestyle

Johnny Clegg Royal Albert Hall Concert Grand West

Many of you have probably seen the legend Johnny Clegg performing live! Embarrassingly I have never – yes I must have been living under a rock! Which is why when given the opportunity to see his South African Story, this Saturday, I jumped at the chance! I also thought I would share details of the concert with you:

A year ago, Johnny Clegg wowed London audiences with his show at the prestigious Royal Albert Hall. After the success of that show, Johnny Clegg played sold out shows at The Teatro at Monte Casino in Johannesburg in November last year and now it is Cape Town’s turn.

Due to public demand, Johnny Clegg is bringing his Royal Albert Hall Concert to the Grand Arena at GrandWest for one show only on the 31 May 2014.

Johnny Clegg took his highly acclaimed A SOUTH AFRICAN STORY to the Royal Albert Hall in March last year and had the entire audience up on their feet. Fans from all over London, South Africans and Londoners alike, attended the show at the prestigious Royal Albert Hall.

A South African Story covers Johnny’s life through his music, and is an inspiring and uplifting voyage. The show shares the story of his life and tells how local and international history influenced his music.

The show will include various forms of dance that influenced him and is supported by visuals that have not been seen before from Johnny’s archives as well as state of the art lighting, sound and projection. This production will include some of Johnny Clegg’s hits, special guest artists as well as some intimate unplugged moments.

Audiences will experience the thrill of music and dance with this South African icon as he links his music to the journey South Africa has taken over the past 30 years.

During this time Clegg has become one of South Africa’s most famous exports while retaining his popularity in his home country. Aside from his musical success, he is widely recognised and respected as an anthropologist, academic and activist. Clegg also campaigned against the injustice of apartheid South Africa and has played a role in putting the new South Africa on the map.

His energetic and passionate persona, together with his anthemic hits, have made Clegg an outstanding musical ambassador for his country. By combining African music structures with Celtic folk music and international rock sounds, Clegg pioneered a new and unique sound. From Europe to the States, from Australia to Potchefstroom and London, audiences in sold out venues have danced to “Cruel, Crazy Beautiful World”, “Scatterlings of Africa”, “I Call Your Name”, “Impi”, “Asimbonanga”, “Great Heart”, and “African Sky Blue”.

Last year Clegg was awarded the Order of Ikhamanga for his excellent contribution and achievement in the field of bridging African traditional music with other music forms, promoting racial understanding among racially divided groups in South Africa under difficult apartheid conditions, working for a non-racial society and being an outstanding spokesperson for the release of political prisoners.

*Show takes place on 31 May, at Grand Arena, GrandWest Casino. Tickets are priced between R184 and R375 and are available through Computicket.

Date: 31 May
Venue: Grand Arena, GrandWest, Cape Town, Western Cape
Tickets: From R184 from Computicket

Top Image by Margie de Villiers

Disclosure Ranking: 2

Cape Town Lifestyle, Competitions, Lifestyle

Win Tickets for the City Sightseeing Bus

The City Sightseeing open-top, hop-on hop-off bus is one of the best ways to explore your City and essentially be a tourist for a day! I must confess, I have only been on the Red Bus Tour once but we are planning a family sightseeing outing on the bus very soon!

If you live in Cape Town you will often spot the Sightseeing buses all around the peninsula, filled with both locals and tourists! As well as the Cape Town, Red City and Mini Peninsula routes, City Sightseeing also offer tours around Johannesburg and Soweto. As I mentioned earlier, it is such a fun way to explore your City. City Sightseeing operates 7 days a week and 365 days a year come rain or shine, a bus arrives at each designated stop at regular intervals which gives you the opportunity to explore the surrounding area.

The wonderful folk over at City Sightseeing hop-on-hop-off bus, have decided to declare a national price freeze, for online bookings, for all bus tours on offer! As well as the national price freeze, you can also buy one adult ticket and get two kids tickets for free, for the Red City Tour. The City Sightseeing 3 for 1 Kids Special has been extended from Saturdays, to cover the full weekend, as well as public and school holidays. With this offer two kids under the age of 18 can travel for free on the Red City Tour, with any full-paying adult. Purchase tickets online and get an additional discount off the price. This offer will run until the end of October 2014.

The Cape Town City Tours:

Red City Tour ~ which includes 17 stops, departing from the Two Oceans Aquarium, on a circular route. Duration approximately 2 hours.
Blue Mini Peninsula Tour ~ which includes 14 stops, departing from the Two Oceans Aquarium, on a circular route with a Wine Bus Tour. Duration approximately 2 hours.

For full details on the Cape Town Route click here.

The Johannesburg & Soweto Tours:

Red City Tour ~ which includes 12 stops, departing from Gautrain Park Station and Gold Reef City, on a circular route and includes the Apartheid Museum. Duration approximately 2 hours.
Red City Tour plus Soweto Combo Deal ~ which includes 12 stops, departing from Gautrain Park Station and Gold Reef City, plus a 2 hour tour to Soweto in a taxi.

For full details on the Cape Town Route click here

Online adult ticket prices for all Red City Tours on offer: – a Red City Tour 1-Day Ticket now costs R130 when bought online and 2-Day Ticket is R230 .

To celebrate the online price freeze and because we love you so much, we are giving away 3 sets of double tickets for the City Sightseeing Bus! Win Tickets for the City Sightseeing Bus by entering via the Rafflecopter form below and please leave a comment below, telling me which city you will be touring. {Please ensure you read the *Terms & Conditions below carefully, to ensure you comply with all the entry criteria}
a Rafflecopter giveaway

*Terms & Conditions:

Entries are open from 19th May 2014 until midnight on the 28th May 2014, winners will be announced on the 30th May 2014.
Enter using the Rafflecopter form, as per the instructions above.
To ensure that your entry in 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.
Prizes may not be exchanged for cash.
This competition is open to South African residents only.
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.

Disclosure Ranking: 2

Cape Town Lifestyle, Events, Lifestyle, Out & About

Women’s Lifestyle Expo 2014 Highlights

Cape Town has a fabulous new event on its annual social calendar, an opportunity to celebrate what being a woman is all about! The inaugural Women’s Lifestyle Expo took place at The Lookout, V&A Waterfront over the weekend of 18-20 April, with an array of luxury lifestyle brands on show.

The weekend kicked off with a media brunch, which I was invited to attend. With food by Dish Food & Social, bubbly by Rhebokskloof, hosted by the hilarious Irit Noble. This was a great way to find out exaclty what the expo had to offer.

We got to meet a rather special young woman, 19 year old, Jenna Lowe, who has been living with Primary Pulmonary Hypertension since her diagnosis at age 17. PH is a degenerative, life-threatening condition, which has changed Jenna’s life forever. Jenna is an amazing inspiration and despite her condition continues to inspire others, with her maturity and zest for life. The Women’s Lifestyle Expo donated 8% of ticket sales from the expo, to the Jenna Lowe Trust!

Sally Creed, Jonno Proudfoot and David Grier, co-authors of the Real Meal Revolution, gave us a brief intro to the book and the philosophy behind it, as well as some practical “banting “ advice.

With over 800 visitors a day, Capetonians were encouraged to take time out to relax and enjoy the spoils on offer. En Masse were on hand to help you de-stress, while Eye Candy Brows simultaneously helped you redefine those brows, with the ancient technique of threading. Fashionistas were spoiled for choice with a variety of stylish ensembles on offer – MilQ & Honey, Jo Carlin, Spilt Milk, Miglio Designer Jewellery and Poppy Divine were some of the beautiful brands showcasing their collections.

I returned to the expo on the Sunday with my family in tow! My girls were not going to miss out on the opportunity to be pampered!

While the girls indulged in a bit of pampering, my hubby made himself very comfortable on the amazing outside deck.

Below are a few of the highlights we experienced at the Women’s Lifestyle Expo:

We had a fabulous afternoon at the expo! With over 60 curated exhibitors, showcasing the latest in fashion, beauty, wellness and business, you really can’t afford to miss out on next year’s expo!

For more details and to view more images from the expo please visit Women’s Lifestyle Expo Facebook Page.

Disclosure Ranking: 2