The Velskoen

Have I mentioned this before? I am continually amazed at the popularity of the velskoen. Also called the desert shoe and the Macalister boot. Now seen everywhere but originally on the feet of boys from the plaas*.









(They look quite comfy, don't they!?)

Pics via JCrew, Sart, Stylesightings.

And why has Style Guide Cape Town not commented on this?

*Afrikaans for farm.

Ruan Hoffman at Anthropologie

I love this poster. LOVE it. (Do yourself a favour, and click to enlarge!)



It seems that the Anthropologie store at Rockefeller Center in New York is hosting Ruan Hoffman's work in June. I'm not sure how this all works, and even that may be wrong (do they have a gallery space?). On their facebook page it looks like they've hosted other artists' work so I'm assuming... anyone got any more info?

Anyhoo, let's take a look at Ruan Hoffman's beautiful work in anticipation of this even (wherever it may be!). I'd love that yellow one on my wall...













Thanks to Louis for the lead.

PS: Louis sent me this info (thanks! It's so much clearer now!)

"The Rockefeller Centre Store has a stand alone gallery that Keith Johnson (co owner and MAN SHOPS GLOBE presenter) curates shows for and he picks the artists who shows there.)

Ruan's solo show at this experimental Gallery space will open in June and end July 2011.He will exhibit 100 ceramic plates that they have been buying up since last year after his return from Amsterdam and the last of these artworks have just left South Africa for New York."

Summer on My Mind

I jinxed it. All that talk of spring. Doing a little bit of gardening, buying summer clothes... I jinxed it. Although there was no accumulation, yesterday it snowed on and off all day. I must admit, its so pretty when its not thigh deep.

So summer's on my mind... and I'm loving this: my hubby spotted it on twitter, via @janbraai. It's at the Kimberley Protea Hotel... their website says they have a pool, not a hot tub, so this must be it!



What makes it great? asks my non-South African friends. Well, its inspired by the landscape (image from here)... introducing the typical South African farm scene.



I know the hotel is 4 stars, but I'm still impressed. Looks like a restful, warm place to stay. Thoughtfully designed. (these images from the hotel's website.)

House & Leisure: Food

I am not a chef. But I do like to eat. I'm also really into pretty pictures. And beautiful publications. The new House & Leisure Food magazine is just right for me. Do you like it too?











This is just the first issue! You can buy a digital subscription here (for mac, PC, ipad, etc), and also to the original House & Leisure magazine.

Jardino

I was recently introduced to Jardino, the photography garden of Janine. Its definitely a place of beauty, peace and serenity.











Janine is a South African photographer, but soon she is off to Italy, and I can't wait to see her adventures documented in pictures, like these ones when she's visited there before...











(That last one's my favourite!)

Odd Shots of South African Restaurants

I recently discovered Food24... and am loving the suspense that comes with only seeing snippets of the featured restaurants. It makes me want to visit them all!

French Toast




Casa Labia Cafe



Loading Bay



Hello Sailor Bistro



And the one that sucked me in, in the first place, 6 Spin Street Restaurant.





(I hear it's where the parliamentarians eat. That's ok. I'd just ignore them.)

Ceramic Matters: Replica Skulls

I recently got an older issue of Elle Decoration magazine from SA (thanks, Ma!) and fell in love with Ceramic Matters' replica zebra skulls (the magazine says giraffe, but the guys at Ceramic Matters have let me know its a typo).



You can see them on Trevyn McGowan's coffee table... and my apologies for the poorly scanned image, but I need to show them in action! Here's some close ups... so intriguing. So unexpected and beautiful.

Art Show (and Tell)

So, as you know, posts were few and far between a while ago because I was getting my stuff together for an art show at work. These art shows are open to our whole company, to showcase what creative things people get up to after hours, they and occur about every 6 months. After being stuck for the past few years doing homework to finish my graphic design program, it was great to finally do some art work.

And, as you know from yesterday's post, I'm a huge fan of Clinton Friedman's work. I used this as an excuse to get back into the discipline of sketching in pencil. I'm very happy with the results.











Here's a bit of a close-up, the other pics are hard to see.



After not drawing for so long I was quite anxious they wouldn't be good, so I was relieved that they were ok.

And, here they are at work. Never thought I'd have my work in a show, never mind with such a bunch of talented people!