Friday, April 27, 2012

Happy Birthday, South Africa


Happy 18th birthday South Africa. Please remember that you are still young, with lots of potential... Although you still have long to travel, you have already come a long way. You'll do it! Be strong.

Image from pinterest.

Thursday, April 26, 2012

Arise Magazine: Issue 14

Besides being mentioned in an Arise Magazine a few years ago, and been given a copy of that issue, I've not really read one before. So imagine my curiousity when I found one at a book store a couple of weeks ago. Granted I didn't read everything - although after long being a big reader of fashion news, was surprised to find myself reading the political, business and music stories first - but the magazine is a feast for the eyes. Take a look.






Musician, Zakee

Infographic of interesting facts about Africa
 
Ad for Vlisco fabrics
 
Article about shy Tunisian fashion designer, Azzedine Alaia 
(can you see him in the pic?)





Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Under The Baobab

I was pleased as punch to discover Nikki via pinterest (these are her awesome boards) and even more happy to discover her blog, Baobab Telegraph. Like me, she is a girl from southern Africa living abroad, with her heart back on dusty, southern shores. And she loves fabric, design, art, the outdoors, crafting, interior decorating, photography... are we actually related!?





Monday, April 23, 2012

Tour South Africa: Cape Point

It's been a while since I shared some of my pics from my trip to South Africa in December. So it's Monday morning and we are all back at work... wah wah wah. Let's go back to get us inspired for the week ahead.


(To recap: I've been sharing some of my favourite things from my recent trip to South Africa. If you plan to visit South Africa I hope some of these posts can help you plan so you have an amazing trip. My homeland is beautiful, with abundant wildlife, warm people and amazing views just like... )

Cape Point. Where it's said that the Indian Ocean (on South Africa's Eastern shores) meets the Atlantic (on the Western side). The Indian travels down from the Equator, warm and fecund, and crashes against the cold Bengueal current roaring up from the South pole. The Western side of South Africa is desert.


 But this is not really true. Cape Point is the Westernmost tip of the continent - the oceans really meet at Cape Agulhas, which is the Southernmost tip. Luckily, none of this matters because the Point, and its surrounding nature reserve is unbelievably beautiful and can take your breath away. (As always, click on the image to make it bigger)

 

 


As you might be able to see in the picture above, there were birds and animals everywhere (there's a tiny bird in about the middle of the photo on the right). We watched seals frolick in the sea below


and cormorants fly in and out from the cliffs.


With lots of patience my Dad got this shot - a bit blurry, but he got it!


If you looked to your right, when standing at the Point, there was a beach to the left - with a message: Krimi, will you marry me?



We saw this little guy scurrying around



These flowers were all over the mountain



When we had our snack, a red-winged starling joined us, hopeful for a tidbit, and then later his wife showed up, too


On the way back to our car, we saw two ostriches just strolling along


And then, heading back towards the exit we stopped off at a protected beach, watching the bontebok in the distance, who seemed to be enjoying the sound of the waves as much as we were



 
A definite for anyone visiting the Cape area.

For full disclosure, all these images are not mine. The first iage of the Point, the message, the lizard, multiple flowers, the up-close cormorant, the ostriches and the group of Bontebok is my Dad's handiwork. My talented mother-in-law got the great pic of the

Sunday, April 22, 2012

Provincetown

Today is a lovely day - its raining softly and everything is getting a good drink, which is badly needed around here. With hardly any snow this year and not much rain so far this early spring, we're looking a drought straight in the eye. Hopefully this will change that.

But yesterday was a lovely day, so to enjoy the warm air the hubster and I, along with a friend, drove down to Provincetown for a leisurely lunch and for some noseying around. We had a great time.

The boats were there ...


as well as all the old town charms that P-town has. I found some horses on the way to the main drag from the parking






and the Town Hall looked beautiful in her spring finery.





We also took a look around a building that used to be a theatre.  From what little I can find online, the original place burned down in 1940 and this building replaced it. The old sign lies behind the building on the beach.


The highlight for me was popping into Marine Specialties, Inc. They have everything: shells, old surplus military clothing, old bottles, a few wedding and prom dresses, safari hats (!!), license plates... the list goes on!


The little treasures I bought have already found their homes. A starfish to keep my magazine-laden coffee table looking pretty


and an old military shoe form that I hope will look gorgeous when I replace my bookshelves one day (I'm thinking along the lines of portable versions of Urban Cottage's built-ins... I'll let you know when I get it done!)


Hope you're having a wonderful weekend, too!

Update: you can read more about some of the artists in Provincetown here

Thursday, April 19, 2012

Design*Sponge loves South Africans' Homes

Not sure if you noticed, last week on Design*Sponge the homes of two very talented South Africans were featured in their Sneak Peek and Before and After sections.

The Sneak Peek was of Carolyn Gavin's Canadian home (she is the creativity behind ecojot)









I loved the light airiness of her home - and of course, the African touches.

Then, the Before & After showed the bathroom of stylist and blogger Kim Gray.





I just love how South Africans pop up persistently all over the place.

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Cecile & Boyds



More, coming soon....

Dogs at the Beach

Spring has sprung really early here in the North Eastern United States. Which is wonderful! Last weekend we had two fabulous afternoons with our pups, one of which was spent on the beach with fantastic friends, too. I couldn't ask for more.

Here are a few snaps of my dawgs (just saying it like the locals do). Lucy, the brindle, loves the beach so much that she gets excited and she can't stop barking. I have about 5 pictures of her with her mouth open like this (we also keep her on leash because her excitement makes it hard for her to hear us!)



Later, after a picnic, noseying around, meeting other dogs, playing with our friends' children and a nice long walk, things settled down. Lou, our other dog, is a little older so he took the opportunity for a nap.



Tuesday, April 17, 2012

Koto Bolofo at Anthropologie

Here's another fantastic South African newsy, artsy awesomeness. Remember the lovely photography of Koto Bolofo?

And this fun video of him working for Vogue?

And his glamorous book on Hermes?



Well, now he has branched out into fashion and is selling an exquisite range at Anthroplogie. I first read about it in their gorgeous new magazine and I can't wait to see it in person (I think I need that skirt).







He also has a new book at Anthropologie, which looks just as mesmerising.





If you'd like to get all the details, check out the article.