Top South African Lifestyle Blog
It is officially family holiday time and we will be away for the next week, so no posts, no email, newsletters or social networking! Just a much-needed time out from routine and the daily grind! I cannot wait to spend this special time with my amazing family, a time to recharge and refresh us all.
So happy holidays to you all and I will be sure to share my photographs and stories when I return!
Images: Botlierskop {top}, Views Boutique Hotel & Spa {Bottom}
My pic of the week this week was taken en-route home from our trip to the Karoo, capturing the beautiful snow-covered mountains.
Noordhoek and the South Peninsula now has its very own fresh food market! The Earth Fair Market is fairly new evening market at Noordhoek Farm Village. How exciting, this is great opportunity for locals to enjoy shopping for great local produce and a chance to enjoy a selection of craft beers and organic wine once the shopping is done!
You will be probably be familiar with Earth Fair Food Market in Tokai or St Georges Mall – they have gained an excellent reputation and host top quality traders selling a range of locally produced and artisan food products. We are talking about real smoked fish, butchers selling free range meat, organic fruit and veggies as well as bakers, dairy producers and other quality products.
Earth Fair Market has established itself over the last 3 years in Tokai and its open air St Georges Market has rapidly become one of the top markets in Cape Town.
Earth Fair at Noordhoek Farm Village will be held under a Bedouin tent in front of the Foodbarn and will host 20-25 of the top traders and artisans in Cape Town. Market goers can stock up on top quality fresh produce, farm cheeses and artisan breads. Once all the shopping is done, shoppers can grab a seat at the communal tables and enjoy a variety of craft beers, organic wines, stoneground flour crepes, tasty treats from the FoodBarn and sushi from De Noordhoek Hotel. Stokkiesdraai will be there with their famous biltong, there will be freshly made Crepes by Lemon Moon, Bratwursts by Top Nosh etc.
Earth Fair Market is all about supporting small, local producers and providing ethically farmed and produced food. They will be bringing their bustling, high quality market to the Village every Thursday for a late afternoon/evening market. Scheduled to open on the 21st June at Noordhoek Farm Village. The market will be held from 4pm- 8.30/9pm every Thursday evening.
We are really looking forward to Earth Fair being a part of the Noordhoek Farm Village, a first of its kind in the Beautiful South. The aim of the market is to supply locals with good quality fresh produce and speciality goods and to provide a family orientated community meeting point.
The success of the Earth Fair Food Market in Tokai and St George’s Mall has been a combination of its’ consistency and accessibility to everyday shoppers as well as the quality of the artisans trading at the market.
Foodies will be delighted to welcome this addition to the Food Scene at Noordhoek Farm Village – already well-known for its’ quality restaurants The Foodbarn, Cafe Roux and The Toad in the Village. As well as the Foodbarn Deli (which will stock some of the artisan’s produce on their shelves) and their evening Tapas offering and of course the restaurant at De Noordhoek ensuring that Noordhoek Farm Village is THE Foodie Centre of the South Peninsula!
Hope to see you there!
There are many campaigns worldwide which focus on the wellbeing of children but one that touched my heart recently is the UNICEF “Believe in Zero” campaign. As a South African and a mother I feel that this is a message that needs to be heard by everyone, whether you are a parent or not! This is my chance to get the word out there and use my blog to support this cause and “Lead SA” for our children.
UNICEF is calling on all South Africans to unite behind the goal of zero violence against children. In the run up to Child Protection Week (28 May- 3 June), its newly launched ‘Believe in Zero’ campaign highlights the role that everyone – not only the authorities – has to play in the protection of children.
South Africa’s levels of violence against children are among the highest in the world. Tens of thousands of children are victims of abuse, neglect and exploitation every year – and offenders often go unpunished,” says Aida Girma, UNICEF Representative.
Statistics from the South African Police Service confirm there were more than 54,000 reported crimes against children in 2010/2011; however, crimes against children are grossly underreported and the real figure is much higher.
Sexual offences make up about half of that figure, while around 30 per cent of these victims are under the age of 10 years. Research has shown that in most abuse cases, the offenders are known to the children.
UNICEF Ambassador Yvonne Chaka Chaka has added her voice to the Believe in Zero campaign: Child protection starts with every one of us, as individuals – no matter who we are and where we live.”
UNICEF is driving the Believe in Zero initiative online. You can support the campaign and express your support on a specially designed Facebook app, here you can upload photos or videos, post messages and join UNICEF in the goal of zero child abuse.
Among those people who share their views through the app, one passionate supporter will be given the chance to take a field trip with UNICEF to see first-hand how the organisation works with partners – and children themselves – towards the fulfilment of child rights.
To find out more about Believe in Zero, or participate in the campaign, visit www.unicef.org.za or join the conversation on Facebook and Twitter.
Source: UNICEF
Weddings like people come in all shapes and sizes. Every girl fantasizes about planning her Dream Wedding, pretty much from the time she is born the dream begins. The dress, the cake, the flowers – there are so many things at play and someone needs to co-ordinate it all. Having planned my own wedding, 15 years ago and having the pleasure of assisting in the planning of my brother’s wedding, you quickly realise the enormity of the task at hand.
Every bride-to–be has her own idea of what her dream wedding should be like – all you need to do is watch the endless array of reality “wedding” TV productions to realise how different peoples ideas can be. Different cultures and religions can also influence the path that the “big day” will follow – I guess some people can handle all the pressure and stress while many opt to use a wedding planner or co-coordinator.
One thing you quickly realise is how out of control the “spend” can get when you start planning your wedding, especially if you are having a big wedding. Which is quite a scary thought, seeing as we have two daughters! Yes we probably need to start saving now. Many couples do however choose to have a smaller, more low-key wedding and successfully manage to keep their budget under control.
From personal experience there are a few key elements that should be your top priority when planning your wedding – your dress should be top of the list, followed very closely by choosing and booking your venue, next on the list should be a photographer and flowers. If you are making use of a wedding planner they will steer you in the right direction as to prioritising all these various elements.
Choosing your wedding dress is an exceptionally personal thing and can be quite daunting when faced with the vast array of styles and fabrics available. Again there are various factors that should be considered when making your choice, like the climate and venue you have chosen – you do not want a wedding dress with long sleeves if you are getting married in Cape Town, in December. If you have chosen a beach wedding – a loose flowing chiffon gown could be the way to go. As I said the choices are endless and can pretty much go wherever your imagination takes you and your budget allows.
We are fortunate to live a truly beautiful city, Cape Town, which easily lends it’s self to be a perfect wedding destination. From beautiful beaches, breath-taking vineyards, spectacular garden and mountain back drops who could ask for more? Venues vary in size and price so there is something to suit all tastes and budgets.
In my mind the major stress factors when planning a wedding are the guest list and the table seating plan – if ever you want to see sparks fly this is where it will happen. Especially when your Mom insists that you invite your long lost Aunt that nobody has seen or heard from in years and then where do you seat “Aunt Mary” seeing as nobody likes her! I think that it is advisable to take a few steps back and remember that this is your special day! In my mind nobody remembers where they sat or what they ate, they are there to see the bride and groom and witness a truly momentous occasion.
So most of all – remember to have fun and enjoy the whole experience from beginning to end, it is your one opportunity to live out your fairy-tale, so make the most of it.
I have included the details of a few wedding and event planning companies, photographers and other wedding resources, to assist you when planning your Dream Wedding:
Wedding & Event Planners:Affinity Wedding & Event Management
Celebration
Theme Creation
Wedding Concepts
Photographers:South African Wedding Photographers (A comprehensive list compiled by SA Venues)
Images: Pinterest Wedding Board
