Different Ideas for Christmas Wrapping

Have you ever wondered if it's possible to escape the repetitive wrapping paper or ubiquitous gift bag, and present a gift that says who it's from and who it's for without a gift tag?

There are so many options! We've found a number of sites that give you unusual and unique methods of wrapping the perfect gift.

House and Leisure has a number of good ideas and stockists of different and quirky wrappings.
Here's a great  blog that has plenty of ideas - not just for Christmas, but the whole year. Check out their advent calendar ideas while you're there!
The Disney Family Fun site has some excellent crafty-type wrappings that you can make with your kids, or for them.

And there are so many more!

Why not have a crafty Christmas?

Holidays are here again!

We are nearly at the end of yet another year, and many companies are closing from now until the New Year. If the holidays are looming large ahead of you, and you're short of ideas for places to go and people to see, the internet is your best resource.

We've found a fantastic site that lists all the events, places and news in and around Johannesburg, Durban, Cape Town and Soweto.

Just click on JhbLive, DurbanLive, CapeTownLive, or SowetoLive for all the current events in your neck of the woods! They list everything from art exhibitions to restaurants to live music events and concerts.

A couple of good things to take note of are the Bryanston Organic Market in Jo'burg, the 36th Summer Salon Exhibition in Paarl, and the 9th Annual Affordable Art Show in Durban. But there are many more places and happenings on the site - so check it out!

You can also follow them on Facebook or Twitter, and get notifications of events in your area.

Love Summer, Love Plett

This summer...be a movie star!

Introducing Character Contemporary Furniture and Lighting online. Its all about contemporary design, attention to detail and timeless good taste at Robert Thomson.com. Because a character piece is a timeless piece. This is the Robert Thomson style.

The collections are imported from top manufacturers globally. As well as importing modern furniture and lighting, Robert Thomson and his team also design many of his collections. These are locally manufactured with impeccable attention to detail. "I'm proud of each item that we deliver. Style must last. Price must be realistic and quality is always in the detail. Because I take quality as seriously as you do"

"Style must be timeless. Quality must last"

Christmas feasting

One of the best things about Christmas is the glorious food, which can be consumed without guilt (until the New Year's Resolution, of course!). We've managed to find some really scrumptious-looking traditional festive recipes, to tempt you into starting the celebrations early! (Click on the images for the full recipes).

Lightly Spiced Christmas Stuffing

Christmas Mince Pies

Christmas Tree Brownies

Steamed Christmas Pudding

It's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas

This time of year is all about traditions, and what could be more traditional than a Christmas pantomime?

This year, Durban's Playhouse Company brings you a once-in-a-lifetime experience: Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella, performed on African soil for the first time at the Opera theatre.

First staged in 1957, this remarkable production embodies the talents of two composers widely acknowledged as the all-time "Kings of Broadway".

An all-star local cast, fantastic sets and scenery, and a dazzling song and dance accompaniment, this is a show unlike any other.

Cinderella is running until the 31st of December. Tickets are available from Computicket, and prices range from R80. Book online or call 0861 915 8000.

Jingle All The Way

In addition to the normal  trading hours on Wednesdays and Fridays from 6pm to 10pm and Sundays 10am to 5pm, The Stables Lifestyle Market will be open for Christmas Night Shopping from 19 to 24 December, 3pm to 10pm.  Good Food, Live Entertainment, Great Shopping and Kids Corner – a great outing for the whole family!

The Stables management can be contacted on 031 312 3058, and can be found at 9 Jacko Jackson Drive (Stalwart Simelane Street), Durban.

Green with Envy to host fabulous Christmas Fair

From the 9th to the 11th of December Green With Envy, at 281 Vause Road in Durban, will be playing host to their annual Christmas Fair. Stands are selling fast, and it promises to be a fantastic opportunity to do all your Christmas shopping, as well as sampling the food delights on offer.

 For more information, or to book a stand, contact Clair on 072 626 2208, or venue@greenwithenvy.co.za.

400 Years of Maps and Prints of Africa

Quagga Rare Books and Art has two branches, one in Kalk Bay, Cape Town and another in Stellenbosch, the Winelands of the Western Cape of South Africa. On the 8th of December, their Kalk Bay branch will be hosting an exhibition of 400 years of maps and prints of Africa.

Owned and run by father and son, George and Simon Curtis, their website combines the stock of both shops for your convenience. They buy and sell top quality antiquarian books, individually or entire collections, on a variety of subjects, as well as dealing in modern first editions, maps, watercolours, paintings and other curious objects for the discerning collector.

They regularly ship to international destinations, so please feel free to contact them for a quotation.

Quagga are members of SAADA and CINOA.

Textile & Jewellery Exhibition: 7 December - 7January

Congratulations to Kirsten Goss!

Kirsten Goss (who we featured here in November) has recently been named the "Entrepreneur of the Year" by the South African Business Club at their annual business awards presentation. Brand ambassador Lara Cross accepted the award on Kirsten's behalf, and said: "From humble beginnings in London, driven by a passion to share international experience with South African goldsmiths, it is a great privilege to be able to represent such talented people both in London and South Africa."

The company has also compiled a beautiful Christmas Wish List, which is available to view on the KG website.

Azure concept store opens in Ballito

It means calm, it’s the colour of the sea, and Azure is also the latest and edgiest boutique offering on the Durban women’s fashion scene. Azure Collection has found its place in the new-look Lifestyle Centre in Ballito, and this fun-to-browse concept store is making a statement.


It’s a labour of love for owners, Sue Kuhn and Kerry Osborne, whose fashion interests include the Purple Orange Fashions’ personal-shopping brand.  And the love is evident in almost every aspect of this ground-breaking space, which showcases carefully sourced local and international clothing, a quirky décor and gifting selection, and a sampling of designer furniture.


It’s a statement as much about the eye-catching, feminine yet classic fashion lines as it is about the inspiring store interiors. A shop design - that would capture attention in an international retail context as much as a
local one - conceptualised by installation artist, Brendon Edwards. Naturally aged silvered wood compliments a brilliant azure-blue wall alongside custom-designed wallpaper and raw metal sculptures reflected off a
polished cement floor.


This is the eye-popping backdrop for the 20 odd clothing designers jostling for attention in the store. Amongst them is JO CARLIN - no stranger to the Cape Town, London and Tokyo design world but a new comer to other South African cities, and certainly Durban.  Jo Carlin’s carefully cut garments, which are simultaneously elegant and sassy, are made from top imported fabrics and show the signature cutting edge design and quality evidenced in her furniture ranges. The country-wide search for “stand-out” South African talent also culminates in the likes of Leigh Schubert, Colleen Eitzen, Ruff Tung, Vino, Miss Su, Ruby, and some new rising stars such as Cape Town label, Non-European.


The mix of highly wearable clothing with an edge is accented by select findings from overseas ranges including a funky Italian dress range, designer jean labels, resort and beach-wear exclusive to Azure, and some hand-picked accessories.

Jo'burg Culture

From the 4th to the 11th of December, David Brown Fine Art is hosting a group show, featuring a large number of talented artists, including Alexandra Ross, Collin Cole, Daandrey Steyn, Mayuri Patel and many, many more.

The exhibition is being held at the Old Sandton Civic Gallery, next to the library at Nelson Mandela Square.

More information, including contact details, artist information, and opening times, is available at www.davidbrownfineart.co.za

And now for something completely different...

CELTIS, an instrumental band that performs traditional and modern Celtic music with a distinctive twist, featuring Keri Povall (flute),Ron Uken (guitar & bodhran), Ant Cawthorn-Blazeby (fiddle),and Fiona Grayer (cello) in no particular order. Basing their music on mostly traditional tunes which are guaranteed to get the feet tapping and the soul dancing, flute and fiddle weave in and out of the melodies to create a sparkling tapestry of sound which delights the soul, and you can share the evening of Friday the 2nd of December with them in a pleasant relaxed setting under the stars with exquisite cuisine and sparkling music at ST CLEMENTS, 191 MUSGRAVE RD.

Doors open from approx 18h00 to 18h30, music will commence at approx 19h30, and cover charge is R50-00. Full restaurant and bar available!

BOOKING IS ESSENTIAL, as this venue is limited to approx 80 seats. Call St Clements now on 031 202 2511 to make sure that you don't miss out!

Steven Graham Designs

Steven Graham "grew up" in the design industry as a manager in leading retail decorating outlets, eventually opening his own retail operation with a showroom in Cape Town.

Nowadays, Steven consults on a private basis, no longer getting bogged down in the everyday details of the retail world. He has often given advice at Decorex shows on creating your own, personalized, magical spaces and places within your home, as well as being featured on Top Billing.

You can contact him on 021 447 1929 | 083 784 3381 | steven@stevengraham.co.za

Or visit the showroom at Unit 22 Nearby Industrial Park, Railway Road, Woodstock, Cape Town.

Spoil your senses! 

Sale! Sale! Sale!

Con Amore is having another sample sale! Be sure to get there early, as all the best bargains will be snapped up by the early birds.

Where: Unit 10, Rinaldo Park, 50 Moreland Drive, Redhill, Durban
When:  Friday, 25 November 2011, 10:00 - 16:00
             Saturday, 26 November 2011, 09:00 - 13:00

Contact them on 031 569 1670 for more information and directions.

Happy shopping!

Carrol Boyes is on Fire!

Carrol Boyes has long been known for fantastic and original designs. The name has become synonymous with beauty and flowing design with an African flair.

And now, she has launched a range of absolutely stunning new kitchenware that she has named "Fire" - an extremely apt way to describe the warmth of the copper tones. She has experimented with different metals to create the perfect colour for her new selection of collectable, functional, art. And best of all, it's been so well developed that it will not tarnish!

Yet another gorgeous addition to the Carrol Boyes universe!

Time to bloom

As summer approaches, we all start thinking of ways to spend time outdoors, soaking up the rays (with the appropriate SPF, of course!).

Right now, art-lovers can combine their love of fine artworks with the chance to enjoy the beauty of the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens.

The Professional Cape Artists' Exhibition is running until the first of December, and artists such as Gabriel and Tinus de Jongh will be showcased.

The Kirstenbosch Gardens are acclaimed as one of the great botanical gardens of the world, and should be a must-see for everyone!

Entrance to the exhibition is free, but the entrance fee to the Gardens does apply.

For more information contact Jill Fearon on 021 715 6500 / 021 799 8621.

Definitely worth the trip!

Artwork by Tinus de Jongh (left) and Gabriel de Jongh (right), among others, will be on display at the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens until 1 December 2011.

Local Artists, Local Friends

Fat Tuesday in Kloof is currently hosting an exhibition showcasing two local artists, Sue Whitmore and Anne Cleveland.

Sue Whitmore's exhibit is entitled "Carpe Diem", and was inspired by the love of life that her son brought into her home. She says "As I grow older and hopefully wiser, I have started to notice the incredible value of innocence, of seizing the moment and living it with the abandonment of pure, unfettered enthusiasm."

"The Conservation of Wetlands" is the theme of Anne Cleveland's contribution, which clearly displays her deep love and appreciation of the birds endemic to these threatened habitats. She uses a sure touch and a fine eye to bring these beautiful birds to our notice.

This exhibit is now on, and the gallery will be hosting a walk-through tomorrow morning, Saturday 19 November at 10am.

And, once you've admired the amazing artwork, Bellevue Cafe can offer an equally amazing coffee, tea or lunch, to make your visit complete.

Fat Tuesday is at Bellevue Campus, 5 Bellevue Road, Kloof, and you can contact them on 031 717 2785 or shannon@fattuesday.co.za.

Delish for a Christmas dinner or a Christmas gift

Sheila Swanepoel brings us delicious homemade delicacies, such as: 



OLIVES etc:
Romesco Olives, tapenades, salsa, pesto - and the most divine Sicilian Dipping Sauce,  which can be used as: marinade, basting chicken, condiment on the table, salads, with cheeses, baked potatoes.  The Romesco Olives Company has a factory in Howick - their kalamata olives are grown in the Cape and their green olives are imported from Greece. The olives come in 380g jars and are marinaded in extra virgin olive oil, which can be used again after you've flattened all the olives.  The tapenades etc come in 250g jars at R55.

CHOCOLATE SALAMI:
A traditional handmade Italian dessert.  Enjoy with an espresso coffee or a glass of wine. Chocolate Salami, also known as Salame di Cioccolato or Salame Dolce, is made from a creamy mixture of dark chocolate, vanilla biscuits, butter, eggs and other fresh ingredients. Each ‘salami’ is hand rolled and beautifully wrapped. A perfect way to spoil your wedding guests or your clients when presented as a corporate gift. Although nuts are not used in this product, it may contain traces of tree nuts. No added preservatives.
Serve with ice-cream or whipped cream or berry compote drizzle.
It is best refrigerated and may be frozen. If frozen, allow at least 45 minutes to soften, to prevent crumbling. Treat your guests to a wedding favour with a difference ..... a smaller size ‘salami’ or a few slices that are beautifully wrapped and co-ordinated to the bride’s request.  Also an ideal gift for corporate functions.


LIMONCELLO:

A traditional liqueur from the south of Italy.  Lemon rind soaked in vodka to which sugared water is added.
Traditionally sipped slowly after a meal.   It is best served ice cold - straight from the freezer where it will not  freeze completely because of the alcohol content - a healthy 40%.  Perfect for lazy summer days when mixed with soda or water. Comes in 250ml & 500 ml bottles at R35 and R70.


These tempting goodies will be available at the following markets and Christmas fetes:


NOVEMBER:
Saturday 12th, 19th, 26th Nov:  6.30 - 10am Shongweni Farmers' Market
Friday 25 Nov: 6 - 10pm at the Colony Centre in Hillcrest - a jazz, food & wine festival organised by Rotary



DECEMBER:
Thursday 1st: 5 - 10pm Point Night Market
Saturday 3rd: 6.30 - 10am Shongweni Farmers' Market 
Thurs 8th to Sun 11th  - Green with Envy in Vause Road on the Berea 
Thursday 15th: 5 - 10pm Point Night Market
Friday 16th: 6.30 - 10am Shongweni Farmers' Christmas Market 

Funky fun for furniture!

"Dodo refurbishes salvaged furniture to a more modern look, aligned with market trends in home décor."

Sounds like any other second-hand furniture retailer, doesn't it? One look at the sample pieces on their website, however, will quickly disabuse you of that notion!

Taking classic lines and turning them into fantastically fun works of art is what they do, and they do it well. They're not afraid of colour and experimentation, and each finished item will bring it's individual personality home to compliment yours. Using only structurally sound pre-owned pieces, dodo allows you to take home bespoke furniture at a price that won't break the bank.

i heart shopping!

The www (Wonderful World of the Web) has once again delivered a gem!

The i heart market, a food and design market that takes place on the first Saturday of every month, is showcased in this blog, which aims to introduce you to the super talented people who take part in the market and to tell you about the fun packed events held at the market. Enjoy reading their ramblings and if you are ever in town... come on down and see for yourself! Markets are held at the Moses Mabhida stadium, Durban. Contact them on email at thejoyteam@gmail.com or Facebook.


Take especial note of the extra market days for Christmas on 3, 10 and 17 December!

Style comes home

Kirsten Goss, world-renowned jeweler, is launching her new Lifestyle range in Durban! The line includes whimsical pieces of cutlery, infused with her indomitable flair for design.

The event is taking place in Morningside, at 45 Eighth Avenue, from 5:30 till 9pm on Tuesday, 15 November 2011.

Kirsten Goss has partnered with Bombay Sapphire gin for this much-anticipated event.

The official launch is in Johannesburg on 17 November, at Shop 2a, 66 St Andrew Street, Birdhaven, and it is an invitation-only event.

Other launches are also scheduled to take place in Hermanus and Plettenberg Bay. A complete list of venues and times is available here.

Elizabeth Gordon Gallery Exhibition

Popping up in Durban!

Malva's concept store in Jo'burg was an experience enjoyed and shared by many, and now they are opening their unconventional and daring arms to Durbanites from their Florida Road premises!

Malva showcases top South African designers and artists in their various fields: fashion, household, novelties, art and design; as well as a variety of live performances. They also display a variety of the designer items at the "i heart market" every month.

So, if you are lucky enough to be in the area, be sure to pop in to their co-op at number 200 Florida Road.

Malva is not just retail - it's a creative experience!

And tonight you can take advantage of extended shopping hours. Do a bit of late-nite roaming until 10pm!

Blooming beautiful

Box Living draws their inspiration from the natural world. No two pieces are alike; each is hand-carved, hand-assembled, and hand-finished to produce pieces with character, timelessness, and a sense of the unexpected. 

Their most recent launch is the Bloom collection: organic and fresh, the meticulously handcrafted pieces take their inspiration from the spirals and swirls of nature and hint towards the ‘flower power’ 1960s.

With an emphasis on weaving, braiding, carving and woodturning; and use of materials such as antiqued steel, bronze, rattan, mahogany, teak and american oak, the collection is bursting with a life and vitality that inspires and uplifts the soul.

View the catalogue here and feel the warm breezes lifting your heart as we slip effortlessly into a summer that blooms.

Strauss & Co Art Sale

A sample of the amazing works under the hammer on Monday:
Left: A Still Life with Roses, Right: Poinsettias, both Irma Stern

Strauss & Co, Fine Art Auctioneers, are holding a South African Art sale on Monday, 7 November. The catalogue includes works from notable artists such as Hugo Naudé, Walter Whall Batiss, Jacob Hendrik Pierneef and Irma Stern.

More information on the auction itself is available here. What an opportunity to appreciate the rare and awe-inspiring talents of some of South Africa's most revered artists!

Charly's Angels

Charly's Bakery in Cape Town offer the most amazingly designed and presented cakes for every occasion. Whether it's your baby's first birthday, or the wedding that you've been planning since you were thirteen, they have the perfect cake for the perfect day.

Specialising in chocolate wedding cakes, Charly's is a family run business that present a new edge to traditional baking, enticing customers from as far afield as Norway with their dainties. Over the years they have gained an enviable reputation as trend setters and are often featured in the glossies.

Their works of art are too numerous to encompass here, so be sure to visit the Charly's Bakery Facebook page, their website, or even, for the Capetonians amongst us, their stunning boutique on Canterbury Street for a complete gallery of inspiration and temptation.

Tarentaalbos Christmas Market

At Tarentaalbos, a few people work with love, appreciation and respect for each other, to create the most beautiful products.

Situated on the farm Tarentaalbos, near Bothaville in the Northern Free State, South Africa, they create special and original products out of ceramics, mosaic and steel. Art@Tarentaalbos manufactures a wide range of functional and decorative products. Each item has its own specific, colorful and rural character, and the artists strive to create each product according to the clients need and taste.

From humble beginnings in 1995, the customer base has grown steadily, and today their clients include housewives, art shops, interior decorators, nurseries, churches, schools and even large companies. Their products are recognized even as far afield as Australia, Canada, Europe and neighboring African countries.

Art@Tarentaalbos strives to deliver a unique and quality product and they live their motto of “Be daring, be first, be different and be successful!”

This year's Christmas Market has just kicked off, and runs until Saturday, 5 November. When the market started, there were only 7 exhibitors, and now there are over 100!

If you're in the area, be sure to take a turn and see for yourself what's on offer!

More information, contact details and directions are available at the Tarentaalbos website.

Delicate, exotic, orchids

"I asked him what he thought it was about orchids that seduced humans so completely that they were compelled to steal them and worship them and try to breed new and specific kinds of them and then be willing to wait for nearly a decade for one of them to flower. 'Oh, mystery, beauty, unknowability, I suppose, ' he said, shrugging. 'Besides, I think the real reason is that life has no meaning. I mean, no obvious meaning. You wake up, you go to work, you do stuff. I think everybody's always looking for something a little unusual that can preoccupy them and help pass the time"

-Susan Orlean, "The Orchid Thief"

On the 5th of November Plantae is hosting an open day on the Boscia Farm just outside of Brits north of Pretoria. Take advantage of having the run of this specialist nursery dedicated to orchids and other rare and unusual plants. Wonderful scenery, a wide range of indigenous birds and trees will add to the magic of the visit!

Dancing round the Barns (Part 2)

Last week we mentioned The Barn Art and Glass Gallery in Worcester, and today we visit the Red Barn Gallery  at Smithfield in the Free State.

Although Smithfield is not on any major tourist routes, there is more than enough to whet the appetite of any sightseer. The Red Barn Gallery is THE venue for local and out-of-town artists to display their works. There are also some Bushman paintings in the hills around town - a bit difficult to set up as an installation in the gallery, but a wonderful accompaniment to the more modern art of the third-oldest Free State town.

Off the beaten track...

...and via the road less traveled to find a true Elysian field at the East Griqualand Country and Garden Festival.

From the 4th to the 6th of November, Kokstad will be hosting the first "Encounter East Griqualand Festival", what promises to be a non-stop experience taking in the whole gamut of creativity; from floral display to musical  escapade. With a program embracing fine art and photographic exhibitions, open gardens, some scrumptious fare, and a parade through the center of town, you are certain to encounter something that catches your fancy.

Cape Quarter

The Design Now! exhibition is now on at the Cape Quarter Lifestyle Village, combining their anniversary festivities with a unique design event.

The exhibition runs from 27 October to 5 November, so if you haven't managed to get there yet there is still time. Amazing art expos, music performances and lifestyle events come together to showcase the diversity of Cape Town's heritage.

"Inspirational Pop-Up Galleries and dynamic decor and furniture installations curated by leading interior designer Tracy Lynch tell a textured story while top local designers host workshops and events to a backdrop of shop-window displays and in-store exhibitions that truly wow."