A New Twist

The first year surface design students at CPTU had to re-create the purpose of a found object, using only 4 other objects (like glue)... this is my favourite - a colander, shower head and cable. Very smart, and very beautiful, Lize-Marie.



As first seen on the Wren, where you can see some of the other students' work.

Rory's Story

I often wish I had discovered graphic design earlier in my life... like Rory, recently interviewed on Madame Mzansi's blog. I love what he's done with this poster. Enjoy this little bit of politics, everyone!



To read the interview, head here and to see more of Rory's work, go here.

(To catch up on the latest Zimbabwe news, head to the BBC's Africa page.)

Definitely Something

I haven't mentioned Apparently Nothing in a while. Head over there for almost daily inspiring photography from England, and other places, through the eyes of a South African.

My current fave...

My Fair Lady

Just a quick note to any South African ex-pats out there who may miss out on the Fair Lady magazine like I miss my Elle Deco magazine... there is now some content online!



You can read about books, food, relationships, careers... it seems most of what you may be hankering after is online. I noticed there was a book review of one of my favourite blogger's book, I Don't Like Chocolate. Sweet!



Click here and enjoy!

Go Bokke!

A few months ago I featured the blog of someone I like to think of a friend, Ann, and her blog is called She Wears Shwe Shwe. I always love checking out the blog to see what people are doing, what crafting and sewing, and good use shwe shwe is being put to.



I was delighted to see that Ann had featured Jeanette on her blog, wearing a Springbok skirt (I don't believe it's shwe shwe, but that's really just fine!). With Heritage and National Braai day just gone, I thought it would be appropriate to show because so often in my life a braai and a rugby game go hand in hand. For my international readers, a braai is a South African barbecue, and the Springboks are the name and symbol of our national team.

Thanks to my South African friends who spent that weekend celebrating with me and my rugby fan.

Connections

Remember, way back when, I had just started this blog... I was back in Boston, fresh from a trip to London where I had bought one of my favourite pieces of jewellery.



I think it could be made by the same person, Beverly Price, whose work was recently shown on Mzansi's blog. Does anyone know?

Just Another Reason...

to dig Daniel Craig.



(Hmm, photo loaded up quite small. If you can't see it, his keyring is a beaded South African flag. Remember, if you click on the pic, it will show larger (a bonus in this case). As originally seen on Homecoming Revolution).

This Is It!

Okay, okay, I know this is completely off topic, but I just got back from seeing Ghost Town. I really enjoyed it, it was very sweet. A lovely midweek break... but I have to tell you I AM IN LOVE! With the apartment that Gwen lives in!





If you can see behind the dead man, funny man, very earnest man, and lovely woman, you'll see big, comfy but beautiful sofas (some with Japanese print patterns on them!), books in glorious bookshelves, beautiful lamps, clutter, art, textured cushions, color everywhere... oh, the list goes on.

There is a shot just a few seconds after these two in the movie, where you see some of the next room, which is covered in wide vertical stripes, and has dark wooden furniture, and great art (if you go to this link, you can see more of the apartment... my apologies, it's on nytimes.com and you have to choose the one where you can Tea Leoni on the couch. Youtube doesn't have this specific clip).

I just love a home that is beautiful but comfy, with good, solid pieces. Lived in. Love it. Anyone else feel this way?

For more pics from the movie, check out IMBD, but alas!, no more pics of her apartment.

A Surprise Purchase

The leaves are turning in Boston, the cooler temperatures are rolling in. Ah, the best time of year. You smell fireplaces burning on chillier nights when it's brisk enough, and you can break out all the warm woollies that make you feel cosy. This is a photo I took at the dog park today.



Last week I went to the Gap and randomly picked up some scarves for the in-between weather we'll be having. I bought an extra one to use as a Christmas gift because they were such a great price. They are scarves from Gap's RED campaign, where half the profits of the products sold go to help in the fight against AIDS, so that was just another reason to get them.



I got them home and was showing my hubby when he noticed that there was a little Africa graphic on the corner of the scarves. We looked closer and saw that there was a small heart over Cape Town and there was text that said, "The patterns used in this garment are inspired by the architecture and culture of Cape Town". I looked again at the designs on the other side of the scarves and noticed that the collage-type image used on the one had the words Cape Town, a button type image with RSA, and a taxi on it. The other had a giant safety pin with a bead on it, which is a very popular craft/jewellery technique in South Africa. I was quite surprised!




I tried to find the scarves on the Gap's website, but they don't seem to be there. If you like what you see, and you'd like your own, you'll have to get them in the store itself!

Salvaging Selvages

I love what the Wren has done with the cut-off selvages from her fabric. Love 'em!





You can buy these, and Wren's other handiworks on her etsy page.

Update! Read All About It!

I very recently found the Chew Magazine... and seems I was a little late on the uptake, because the second one is now available. Download your copy NOW!

Stoned Again

Thanks to my newly-found fellow SA blogger, Mzansi Madame, I am loving Stoned Cherrie's Winter '08 collection.





Be sure to head over to the Lady From the South's site for more info, interviews and fun, and to Stoned Cherrie for more gorgeous, gorgeous style (as always).

Mix It Up!

Ah, a little American phrase for a South African blog... my fellow blogger Bronwyn, has decided to give up her lovely blog, Smoke and Ochre, and start a fashion blog instead. Ooh! Can't wait to see what she gets up to!





To check it out visit, FashionAbility.

How to Avoid Paying Excess Baggage When Flying

Start your own import business, of course!

Sharon and Ryan are two South Africans living in London, and found they were paying excess baggage fees every time they flew back from trips to South Africa. They just couldn't find the unique goods that they wanted in the UK. So, they decided to import what they wanted for themselves and other people who love goodies from the sunny Southern shores. Hence Urban Africa was born.




They have all sorts of fantastic things, from things for your home, yourself, and for your friends. Some of my favourites are the seagrass candle, kiddies' tshirts (this one is emblazoned with the label of a well known South African milk-based drink), wooden bowl (can't you imagine this on your dining table!?) and a range of glorious Rooibos products. (For those unfamiliar with Rooibos, it is a tea bush that grows in the Cape area of South Africa, which obviously makes tea, a delicious, earthy red tea- rooi bos is literally red bush- but also can be used in other natural products.)




A particular page on their website looks quite promising... it is entirely devoted to African Christmas decorations. My Christmas tree is decorated mostly in these decorations every year, so I'm glad to see it is available. You could add that extra magic to your festivities with angels, wire balls or beaded tealight candle holders.




And, of course, the thing that floats my boat the most, is that Urban Africa is also about giving back to the South African community. You can more about the people and projects that Urban Africa is involved with, and supports here.




The only snag I see is that as Urban Africa is quite new, they only sell in the UK at present. However, with such a great selection of goods I'm sure it won't be long before the business is up and running and exporting worldwide. So head on over there to see what lovely things you can get your hands on. There is also a competition to win some of things I featured today, so who knows? You might be lucky.

New Links

I've just spent a little bit of time updating my blog roll, on the right of the screen. I quite often get tired of blogs that are written by navel-gazers, or are about acquiring stuff, so because I am a project-oriented person, a lot of the links are to people that make things, Southern Africans and others alike. I hope you find them as interesting and enjoyable as I do.