Lifestyle - 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

Cape Town Lifestyle, Lifestyle, Wine Farms

De Grendel Wine Farm

You may remember a recent post I did featuring City Escapes and a brief write-up I did on De Grendel Wine Farm. I thought I would do a bit more of an in-depth feature on the Estate and give you a bit more detail on what the wine farm has to offer.

De Grendel Wine

The farm offers visitors the most spectacular, unparalleled panoramic views, with a particularly amazing view of Table Mountain. {I loved my shot of Table Mountain in a wine glass}

You will also catch a glimpse of the City and the Seaboard, all in one landscape. De Grendel is situated a mere 20 minutes from the city and forms part of the Durbanville Wine Route.

The farm is steeped in local history and has been in the Graaff family for three generations. Baronet, Sir David Graaff, retired politician and leading wine farmer, continues the legacy left by his father and grandfather before him. The historic De Grendel farm remains the heart and soul of the family, assisted by members of staff whose roots on the property go back five generations. Sir David has built a reputation for upliftment in the community, supporting farm labourers and their families and encouraging education for their children.

As far as wine making goes De Grendel Vineyards are perfectly situated on high, sea-facing slopes, it is the only vineyard in the country, which is 350m above sea level and only 7 km from the sea. This elevated position is not only majestic, but creates the micro-climate, vital to the production of their elegant wines.

Our vines benefit from the western-facing aspect and the close moderating effects of the ocean – advantages that are the product of the site. In our viticulture and wine-making, our goal is the expression of the character of this distinctive position.

The day we picked for our visit to the farm was wonderfully clear, albeit a bit chilly but all in all the perfect winters day!

We chose to do the full wine tasting, as well as snack on a cheese board from their Vine and Dine menu.

A few of our favourite whites tasted, were the 2014 Sauvignon Blanc and the 2014 Koetshuis, both wines are wonderfully fruity, with a crisp dry finish. Perfect summer time wines!

Rosé is one of my favourite lazy, summer time wines, providing it is dry and not too sweet! The De Grendel 2014 Rosé is perfect! Again lovely and fruity but with a crisp dry finish.

As far as reds go my favourite reds at the moment are usually Shiraz, so I was really surprised by the De Grendel 2012 Merlot! The Merlot is a delicious, full bodied wine filled with a combination of different berries on the nose. Mulberry, raspberry, and blackberry fruit accompanied by liquorice and mocha flavours that carry through on palate. Well supported by firm French oak tannins. Naturally we bought a combination of the wines to enjoy at home!

Tasting fees are R50.00 for the full range of wines available for tasting or R20.00 for any three available wines. Groups larger than eight are kindly requested to book with Douglas on 021 558 6280, weekend tasting sessions for these groups are only available from 09h00-10h30.

As well as wine tasting, the estate boasts an Elegant Restaurant, which is 100% South African! Farm produce and ingredients sourced from local suppliers are given an inventive, modern edge. Home-grown South African chefs and staff are employed and trained to international standards, generating jobs for local people. We have not eaten at the restaurant yet but plan to in the very near future!

The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner. At dinner the exceptional five course tasting menu (tailored to diner preferences) is a huge draw card, offering the chance to experience the talents and creative abilities of the chefs over more courses. De Grendel Wines are on the menu at cellar prices, making this fine dining experience accessible at realistic prices.

Contact Details:

Wine Farm

t: +27 (0) 21 558 6280
f: +27 (0) 21 558 7083
e: [email protected]
follow the wine farm: facebook | twitter

Restaurant

t: +27 (0) 21 558 7035

e: [email protected]
follow the restaurant: facebook | twitter

Directions

De Grendel is only twenty minutes from the Waterfront or airport. Leave the N1 at exit 18; continue left down the Plattekloof Road for another 5 km, De Grendel is on the right.

Image Source: 1-14 ©FAR Photography, 15 ©De Grendel

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Competitions, Design & Decor, Lifestyle

Home Decor with Johnson Inkjet Tiles

Home Decor

In a few months we will be moving to new home and taking on quite a large renovation project! Although somewhat scary, I love home decor projects, especially the journey of personalising a space and making it your own. I find the process so creative and extremely satisfying.

When it comes to home decor I prefer, neutral and natural-looking decor, particularly when it comes to floor coverings. Wood or natural stone costs a bomb, so I was very intrigued when I heard about Johnson Inkjet Tiles. These beautiful tiles provide a great substitute to home owners, who want to embark on home improvements and prefer the natural look, but may not have the budget for natural stone or solid wood flooring.

As I have mentioned before bringing nature into your home decor, is a good place to start your creative process, especially when looking at colour palettes. Find out which colours complement each other and exist in harmony, in nature and allow this to influence your decor choices.

Inkjet printing technology will allow for high-definition printing on uneven surfaces, such as ceramic and porcelain tiles. This has led to the development of tiles that look exactly like wood and natural stone but at a fraction of the price. So you can introduce these nature inspired elements without breaking the bank!

Tiles with a wood inkjet design can now go where wood has not gone before – wet spaces. These wood-look tiles are ideal for the bathroom and work just as well as decking on the patio, especially those with a textured finish. The latest stone prints combine different types of natural stone such as marble, slate and travertine thus featuring a variety of veining patterns.

Consumers are seeking out flooring solutions that are going to offer them value in the longest term, understanding that cheaper alternatives will not last as long, and will not wear as well. Inkjet tiles offer customers on-trend finishes that they desire without having to pay too much to get the look they’re after. ~ Richard Nuss, marketing manager for Johnson Tiles.

Inkjet tiles that imitate stone are ideal for open-plan living areas as they blend together beautifully and therefore create a seamless flow from one space to the next.

What elements from nature do you like incorporating in your interior spaces? Please let me know in the comment section below. As part of our nature inspired theme Johnson Tiles and Inspired Living are giving away a R1000 Cape Union Mart Voucher! This is our way of getting you geared up to spend more time in nature and find inspiration for your home decor!

Please complete the easy steps in Rafflecopter form below to enter and win a R1000 Cape Union Mart Gift Voucher. {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 9th September 2014 until the 19th September 2014 the winner will be announced on the 2nd September 2014.
Enter using the Rafflecopter form, as per the instructions above. You must complete all the steps:Leave a Comment, Like said FaceBook Pages, to validate your entry, failure to do so will declare your entry invalid. To gain an extra entry Tweet about the competition.
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 only open to South African residents.
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.

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Exploring the Cape, Local, Travel, Wine Farms

City Escapes with City Lodge

As you know I love travel, both locally and international but time and budget constraints, usually only allow international travel once a year. We also like to venture along the coast or into the country, for weekend breaks but lately we have been doing more City Escapes. Staying closer to home and exploring more of what Cape Town has to offer! [Read more…]

Fitness, Health & Fitness, Healthy Living, Lifestyle

Good Fitness Habits My 100 Healthy Days

If you are on a mission to lose weight or improve your fitness levels, it is important to be disciplined and adopt Good Fitness Habits. Luckily I have always been fairly disciplined when it comes to exercise. I also have exercise equipment at home, which is a big help. If you are less disciplined or you do not have space at home, then joining a gym, like Virgin Active or Sports Science Institute, would be your best option. [Read more…]