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Cape Town Lifestyle, Design & Decor, Gift Ideas, Gift Stores

Typo Cavendish Square

While in Cavendish Square on Saturday, buying a new printer, my girls and I happened upon Typo, a new rather exciting addition to the centre, enough to make “Mr” breakout into a cold sweat! Typo is an amazing treasure trove of awesome goodies, I could spend hours there but we did not have too much time on Saturday but we still manged to come away with the gorgeous decor goodies above! My girls are redecorating their bedrooms and fell in love with the beautiful canvasses they had on display, they each picked one but I think we will be back for more. We also found great scatter cushions for their rooms and the best thing of all was the price and the sales assistant even threw in a funky water bottle for free! {That’s mine! 🙂 }

Typo has gorgeous stationary all colour coordinated, beautiful lap top covers and myriad of other knick-knacky bits. As I said we did not have much time, so a second visit is definitely in order! The store is on the 1st floor in Cavendish, next door to Timberland and they also have a store in Canal Walk, so if you have not been yet do yourself a favour and get there!

Children, Competitions, Family, FAR Photography, Gift Ideas

Veronique Photography Feature and Giveaway

 

*ENTRIES ARE NOW CLOSED*

Today I am featuring the lovely Veronique Mills on my blog. Veronique is a talented local photographer, who is very passionate about what she does, she believes that a photograph can capture a certain moment in time and portray great emotion.

I believe art is a personal experience. It gives me the greatest feeling of achievement when people look at my photos and experience the captured essence and feel of a moment in time.

Newborns are one of her favourite subjects, she feels that there is something so special in capturing those first few days of a little baby’s life, something a parent treasures forever! Her newborn photographic studio, Veronique Photography, is based in Kenridge, Cape Town.

I love all things baby and have bought some great props for my newborn shoots.

During her newborn photo sessions Veronique’s aim is to ensure that your precious bundle of joy is happy at all times! She has a heater to keep them warm, white noise to soothe them and lots of blankies, props and hats to make the whole experience magical. Her recommendation is to capture your little one within the first 5-8 days after birth, as they tend to be more sleepy and less likely to wake up or cry.

I am super excited to announce that we will be giving away a Newborn Studio Package worth R1000, to one lucky mom & her babe!

The package includes:

  • A 4 Hour shoot in her studio situated in Kenridge, Cape Town
  • A DVD with between 30 – 70 high-resolution photos, professionally compiled and edited
  • A Slideshow of images to music

All you need to do is Show some lovin’ by liking  Super Mom Blogs Facebook Page and Veronique photography’s Facebook Page. Then leave a comment below the post telling us about your precious bundle or who you will be gifting the photo shoot to.

Competition Details:

  • The Veronique Photography Giveaway will run from 2nd August 2012, until the 9th August 2012. The winner will then be randomly selected and announced on my blog on the 13th August 2012  . The winner will also be notified via email that they have won.
  • The winner will receive a Newborn Studio Package worth R1000.
  • Please leave a comment on this blog, below the post, stating that you have completed the above; along with your details in the comment section below this post (please include your email address). If you do not complete this step your entry will not be valid.
  • Conditions of entry: Anyone may enter this giveaway but please advised that Veronique Photography is based in Cape Town and the winner will need to make their own way to Cape Town to receive the prize. The prize may not be exchanged for cash. 

 

Be Inspired, Featured Posts, Gift Ideas, Interviews, Lifestyle, Real Women.Real Life, Websites

Heart and Home Online Gift Shop

Heart and Home Real Women Real Life

This week my Real Women – Real Life feature focuses on Kathryn and Vanessa Rheeder, from Heart and Home. Vanessa gives us a bit of insight into the lives, of two local Cape Town mom’s running an online business.

Tell Us A Bit About Heart and Home?

Heart and Home is an online gift shop that was launched on the 9th of February this year. I (Vanessa) was working as a finance manager in the corporate field and wanted to do something a little more creative and flexible as I am a mother of 2 boys, Josh and James. Kathryn is going to be a mom in September and our online gift shop provides us with the flexibility, of having a business while still allowing us to spend time with our children.

We both share the love of products that are unique, charming and reasonably priced. Our goal was to source products that aren’t readily available in South Africa, to ensure that we offer something different to our customers. We also want to support local suppliers so we have included some local products, which fit our signature brand and style.

 

Tell Me About The People Behind Heart and Home?

Kathryn and I both live in Melkbosstrand, Cape Town and are sisters-in-law, business partners and long-time school friends. As mentioned above, I am a mom of 2 boys and Kathryn is expecting her little boy in September.  Kathryn is consulting full-time at the moment and I used to work as a financial manager for a listed company.

We found a great deal of inspiration from overseas websites when we were designing and developing our brand and website. We love products from the UK, Scandinavia and South Africa of course. We also love visiting food and craft markets in South Africa.

What Are Your Favourite Products & Why?

We stock both local and imported products. We especially love the local, handmade babushka dolls, owls and tepee tents which you can find in our handmade section.

We have only been trading for a month so our bestsellers change all the time but at the moment, the jumbo shoppers are our bestsellers. They come in 4 designs and are made from recycled plastic bottles so they are eco-friendly too, which makes them a practical and unique gift.

What Would You Say Your Personal Décor Style Is?

My personal style is more contemporary with a touch of classic, while Kathryn’s is more classic with a touch of vintage chic.

 

 

What Advice Can You Give to Women Starting Their Own Business?

My advice to women, especially mom’s, starting up their own business is to ensure they have a proper support system in place and a separate office to work in. My eldest son gets dropped at crèche in the mornings and my nanny looks after James. I work upstairs in my office and I’m available to spend the afternoons with the boys.

[quote style=”1″]Ask God for a creative idea – He knows you the best and always gives you something original and helps you along the way![/quote]

Make sure you spend time on research, draw up a formal business plan with financial forecasts. It’s important to know where you are going.  Ensure that you implement the proper systems for your business. Use reputable service providers for website design, development and hosting. Use good quality images and descriptions for your products as your customer relies heavily on this.

 

 

What Was The Biggest Challenge Setting Up Your Business?

The biggest challenges I faced was not earning a salary for the last 12 months and learning to have patience as it takes time to set up the website and to make it profitable. Kathryn is still working full-time so she has had to juggle the business and her full-time job!

 

Where Do You See Heart & Home in 5 Years?

We would like to increase our product base in the near future. We have to manage our cash flow so we will only introduce new products as and when we can. We have a 3 year financial forecast which we hope to meet. Our vision is to be one of the leading online gift shops in South Africa.

 

Thank you to Vanessa from Heart and Home for sharing a few of your business and life insights with us. I wish you every success with your business and hope you achieve your goal of becoming one of SA’s leading online gift shops!

 

Heart and Home are offering a 15% discount off your initial purchase when you sign up for their newsletter, check their website here for more details. If you like their Facebook page before the 31st of March 2012 and you could win a R350 Heart and Home gift voucher.

Images: Photography by Leigh-Ann Cooke of Love Life Photography

Cape Town Lifestyle, Competitions, Gift Ideas, Gift Stores, Lifestyle

Win A Coco li Gift Voucher

Coco Li

Coco li Gift Voucher Giveaway

Last week I featured the beautiful boutique gift store Coco li on my blog (see my interview here) and today I am super excited to announce that we are giving away a R300 voucher, to spend at either one of the Coco li stores!

Coco li is an upmarket Gift Boutique, situated in Cape Town. They have two stores in Cape Town – one situated in Cape Quarter Centre, in Green Point and the other in The Paddocks Centre, in Milnerton. They pride themselves on stocking predominantly locally designed and sourced treasures.

So here is what you need to do:

Leave a comment stating that you have completed the above; along with your details in the comment section below this post (please include your email address)

*For Extra Entries:

Please leave one additional comment after each of your extra entries!

Competition Details:

  • This giveaway will run from the 19th February 2012, until midnight on the 2nd April 2012. The winner will then be randomly selected and announced on my blog on the 3rd April. The winner will also be notified by email that they have won.
  • Conditions of entry: Anyone may enter this giveaway, but please note that Coco li is based in Cape Town and your voucher will need to be spent in either one of their stores and may not be exchanged for cash.

 

Contact Details: Cape Quarter 021-421 0499 Paddocks 021-555 2824

Image: ©FAR Photography

Be Inspired, Cape Town Lifestyle, FAR Photography, Featured Posts, Gift Ideas, Gift Stores, Interviews, Lifestyle, Real Women.Real Life

Coco li – Exquisite Boutique Gift Store

Coco Li Real Women Real Life

I never need an excuse to shop and I absolutely adore the Cape Quarter Centre in Green Point, Cape Town.  It feels as if you have crossed the Rubicon when you step into the centre; it has a wonderful cosmopolitan air about it and I was certainly not disappointed when I popped in to the centre on Monday, it was a hive of activity. The main purpose of my visit was to interview the lovely Leigh Tzouvanni, co-owner of  the beautiful boutique gift store Coco li.

 Tell Us A Bit About Coco li?

Coco li is a joint venture started by myself and my sister Lana Goslett. We opened our first store, in 2004, in The Paddocks Centre in Milnerton.  We both have a background in Interior Design and architecture and the business was born out of our shared love of all things beautiful. Having a united vision and passion made establishing Coco li an easy venture; what better way to spend your day than surround by all the creative flare and beauty that feeds your passion. Five years later, in 2009, we opened our second store in Greenpoint’s Cape Quarter extension.

“Coco li is the perfect little boutique where you will not only be inspired to spoil someone else but you will also have free rein to spoil yourself. Come and get lost in our treasure chest…” You can expect gifts to be adorned with exquisite wraps that are then tied with vintage lace ribbons and perhaps even finished off with a rose – something uniquely Coco li and a real treat for the recipient of your gift.”

What Type of Products Do You Stock?

We stock a vast array of gorgeous upmarket goodies which range from unique homeware pieces, jewellery and stunning designer clothing, including some vintage pieces. I have even managed to source a few vintage clutches!

When asked what her favourite products are, Leigh’s response was fitting – I love it all!!

Where Do You Source Most of  Your Products?

We maintain that 90% of our products are local and we import a few items to fill the gaps. We are lucky to live in the country we do and have access to such talented designers and such well-made local products, which include unique clothing collections from a selection of SA designers.

What Would You Say Your Personal Décor Style Is?

My personal style is definitely quirky with vintage inspiration, a great deal of what you see in store will be mirrored in my own home.

 Do You Travel for Business?

I do not do much in the way of business travel at present but as the business grows I would love to travel to source more unique items of interest to add to our growing range.

You Have Developed Your Own Body Products – Tell Us More About Them

We have developed a range of local bath and body products, with the help of a friend of mine Tanya, who has her own range of natural body products, called Naturals! We worked on fragrances and bottling together and our labels were designed by Bridget from loveletterstationery!  The Coco li Body Range includes Himalayan Bath Salts, Salt & Sugar Body Scrub, Body Butter and Hand and Body Lotion. These products come in soothing fragrances such as “Chamomile & Rose” and “Vanilla” and for something more invigorating, a vibrant “Ruby Grapefruit”. I am very excited to announce that we are currently in the process of developing a range of diffusers and massage oils.

Thank you so much to Leigh for giving me the opportunity to interview you and learn a bit more about Coco li, it is a beautiful shop filled with exquisite products! I wish you every success with the further development of your Coco li Body Range and we will definitely keep readers up to date with any new products that are added.

Images: ©FAR Photography

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