Proudly South African Archives | Inspired Living SA

Design & Decor, Lifestyle, Living Green, Proudly South African

Made by You & Cavendish Recycle Pop-Up Store

Made by You & Cavendish

Last week I attended the launch of the Made by You & Cavendish Recycle Pop-Up Store in Cavendish square, in Claremont.

To give you a bit of background on this project – over the past three month Cavendish have been running a #cavendishcares project which focused on the WDC2014 theme “TODAY FOR TOMORROW – sustainable solutions for people and planet”. They tasked local green designers including Pitchulik, WREN & Give It Bag to create sustainable products utilizing the waste produced at Cavendish Square.

The challenge was to turn the waste into beautifully designed, functional and desirable recycled products, to in turn amplify the visibility of the Centre’s sustainable outlook. Through this initiative, titled ‘Made By You & Cavendish Square’ (MBY&C), the Centre’s shopping community, have in fact contributed to the creation of these products!

I thought I would share a few photo’s I took at the event, showcasing a few of the amazing products on offer. Remember Christmas is not far off, so this is the perfect opportunity to get your shopping started 😉

I would just like to mention that all the proceeds from sales from MBY&C go directly to the creators of the products and not to Cavendish Square, which I think is awesome!

At the launch we also got a how-to demonstration from Tsidi Ramofolo, from NEWCO designs, on DIY coaster making.

A project which really stood out for me, at the launch, is the Street Sleeper! The Street Sleeper Billboard to Bag concept, up-cycles disused PVC billboard from landfill, to create a survival sleeping bag. This project not only creates local employment but it provides people in need, with shelter from the elements. To find out more about this project or to gift a bag please visit the Street Sleeper Website.

The pop–up store will be operational for the month of October and is located in Col’Cacchio court on the Lower Ground Floor in Cavendish Square, operating from 10am – 5pm daily.

Image Source: Street Sleeper ~ Upcycle That, Top Image ~ Cavendish Square

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.

Gift Guide, Gift Stores, Proudly South African

Re-fined

As you know I am a bit of a shopaholic and was particularly fascinated when I heard about Re-fined.com! Re-fined is a new-comer to the on-line shopping scene and the brain child of Georgina O’Connell.

Re-fined has just recently launched to the public and offers shoppers a unique, on-line, shopping experience. It is a place where enjoying and acquiring beautiful things is effortless and pleasurable. You will find items for him, her, for little people and your garden and home, giving you far more variety to make your shopping experience that much easier! Re-fined stocks one of my favourite local jewellery brands, Silver Fig, which you may remember me blogging about – I absolutely love their designs!

“We understand that people have limited time and don’t always have access to the physical shops but still want to acquire desirable product and design to express their sense of style, hence the creation of a cyber mall with one check out point” ~ Georgie.

With a background in design, a love of beautiful things and an appreciation of talent, Georgie became acutely aware of the magnificent products and design items, that come out of South Africa. She also saw the need to make these Proudly South African products, more easily accessible to the world. The main purpose of Re-fined is to showcase South African products and designs, both locally and internationally.

What more could you ask for beautiful stylish products all available from one on-line destination and all this at the click of a button!

Please pop over to the Re-fined website and browse their growing, range of gorgeous goodies!

Cape Town Lifestyle, Events, Lifestyle, Out & About, Proudly South African, Wine Farms

Groot Constantia New Wine Label

Last week I attended an event at Groot Constantia Wine Farm. You may recall posts I have written about Groot Constantia in the past. The stunning vineyards, amazing wine and historical buildings are what the farm is renowned for. [Read more…]