Bridal Indaba and Wedding Expo coming soon

When it comes to planning a wedding, any future bride will agree that it can be quite challenging and stressful at the same time. With so many arrangements to take care of, people are often looking for inspiration to make their special day a truly memorable one. The Bridal Indaba and Wedding Expo is the perfect event for anyone looking for advice and inspiration for their upcoming wedding.

This majestic event will be happening on the 2nd & 3rd of March 2013 and promises to provide a wealth of local suppliers, design ideas, décor tips and catering services for future brides to benefit from.

When:

2nd & 3rd March | 09h00 - 17h00

Where:

The Indaba Hotel, Fourways

How much:

Adults: R75 p.p
Pensioners: R55 p.p
Children under 12: R10 p.p
Kids under 6: FREE

Click here for more info.

Highclere Castle: the real Downton Abbey

Highclere Castle is the home of the Earl and Countess of Carnarvon and also features as Downton Abbey in the hugely successful drama series of the same name. If, like us, you're fans of the series then you're sure to have spent endless hours drooling over the sheer size, extravagance and beauty of the location. You may even have been privileged enough to walk through its doors.

Yes, you read right! Highclere Castle is open to the general public in the summer. From March you'll be able to explore the spectacular parkland surrounding the castle, learn more about the 5th Earl's relationship with the Egyptian Pharaoh Tutankhamun and discover the real story behind Lady Almina (the 8th Countess of Carnarvon) and Downton Abbey's Season 2 story line.  

Click here to view more of the estate in Newbury, England.

CTS 101: Mad scientists & their kittens

Because We Can, a California-based Design-Build Studio led by interior designer Jillian Northrup and her husband architect Jeffrey McGrew, was recently tasked to turn an under utilized room in a private residence into a highly functional and inspirational place to work from home. To say that they fulfilled their mission is a bit of an understatement. Besides turning the room into a Mad Scientist's Home Workshop, they also created what Northrup calls “the fist step to greater cat mobility throughout the room”.

The Cat Transit System, or CTS for short, travels over desks and around three of the four walls, giving the family cats the ability to sneak through the room, whilst spying on its human occupants through intergrated viewing ports. Don't you just love the attention to detail? We sure do!

NWJ Bridal & Events Show

Hosted at the Durban Exhibition Centre the NWJ Bridal & Events Show is the premier event for wedding and function related products and services with over 100 top quality exhibitors and an amazing world class catwalk fashion show.

Visitors enjoy the show experience for the attention to detail, entertainment and wide range of suppliers from decor, flowers, music, catering, invites, gifts, designers, make-up, bridal wear, legalities, venue, photography, video, and anything else function related....

When:  
Friday 1 March | 17.00 - 21.00
Saturday 2 March | 09.30 - 17.00
Sunday 3 March | 09.30 - 17.00

Where:

Durban Exhibition Centre

How much:

R55

Click here to book your tickets now!

For more info visit the event online at: www.nwjbridalshow.co.za

Not your average Valentine's Dinner

Looking to celebrate Valentine’s Day in style, minus all the hearts, red roses and cheesy accordions? Whether you are head over heels in love or happily single or just feel like a night out, the forum company’s Valentine’s Dinner is just the thing for you!

the forum company knows that not everyone is fond of the soppy lovey-dovey approach that has become the norm on Valentine’s Day and invite you to join us for a stylish and trendy escape from all the schmaltzy hype at the iconic, urban chic turbine hall. the forum company has joined forces with Grey Goose vodka for the evening and will welcome all the guests with a fabulous cocktail on arrival. The talented forum chefs will prepare an exceptional 3-course meal for the evening for only R330 per person.

Look forward to an evening of great music and divine food amongst the turbines of Jozi’s oldest power station. If you’re a regular fan of the forum | turbine hall once-a-month Underground Dinners, then you’ll know just what a fabulous evening lies ahead – and this one is definitely not to be missed!

Dinners start at 19h00 for 19h30.

Bookings are essential, so book early to avoid disappointment. Contact Hazel Ndebele on 0873103888 or email turbinebookings@theforum.co.za.

Click here for information about Underground Dinners for the rest of 2013.

The Gauteng Homemakers Expo

In 2013 Gauteng HOMEMAKERS Expo celebrates 20 years of exhibition excellence.  Over the years it become SA’s number one choice by big brands.  This South African favourite is still the country’s largest, multi-award winning home interest expo, putting 50 000 visitors in contact with over 400 suppliers in an arena where the visitor can research, speak to experts, and satisfy a myriad of home related needs, all under one roof!

The expo is bolstered by the many feature areas demonstrating the latest trends and ideas for 2013 adding interest and interactive appeal to the visitor experience.

Furniture and Décor feature. Urban Interiors is brought to you in association with the Institute of the Interior Design Professions (IID) with The Home Channel as media partner, making for an interesting line-up.  The area includes an array of market-leading décor and furniture companies demonstrating 360˚ design solutions for ‘Small Spaces • Big Living’. The area also hosts an inspiring Decorator’s Challenge, ‘Divide & Conquer’, 6 room sets by a hand-picked group of well-known and up-and-coming decorators and designers. They will showcase complete design solutions for bi-functional spaces.  It will also become evident to the visitor that it need not cost an arm and a leg to employ the services of an interior decorator to make the most of one’s living space, no matter how big or small.

The latest in grand Kitchen design including space saving features and appliances is being presented by The Kitchen Specialists Association.  Kitchen companies and their suppliers will demonstrate trends and ideas relating to kitchen and bathroom design and installation.

Join the experts from Builders Warehouse at the interactive Builders DIY Theatre where they will show audiences throughout each show day how to make a success of their everyday DIY projects.

Glade is bringing a 4^th dimension to design with the Glade Sensorium feature, which will enhance your sensory experience.  Young South African designers from Creative Institutions will present a collection of 3 rooms inspired by 3 fragrances. The fragrance will complement the tone and style of each room with matching interior.

Deli-cious is back by popular demand; a feature area that presents tantalising tastes and an absolute must-EAT part of the HOMEMAKERS’ visitor experience.

Win a Home Make-Over with HOMEMAKER Expo valued at R200 000! A DStv subscriber competition offers 4 prizes each valued at R50 000 from 4 Exhibitors.

When: 28 February – 3 March 2013 | Thursday & Friday: 10:00 to 19:00 | Saturday & Sunday: 09:00 to 18:00

Where: The Coca-Cola Dome, Northriding

How much: R80 for adults | R50 for pensioners | Children under 12 free

For more information or to book your stand phone 0861 11 HOME/4663 or jhb@homemakers-sa.co.za or click here to visit the HOMEMAKERS website. 

Recipe: Strawberry Mousse

Serves: 6-8

Preparation time: 25 minutes, plus refrigeration time

You'll need:

• 10ml gelatine

• 350g strawberries, hulled and chopped, plus extra to serve

• 1 tin evaporated milk, chilled overnight

• 5ml vanilla essence

• 100-150ml castor sugar, depending on the sweetness of the strawberries

Instructions:

• Sprinkle the gelatine over 15ml water and leave to stand until spongy. Melt in the microwave then leave to cool slightly.
• Blend the strawberries in a food processor and press through a sieve to remove most of the seeds. Spoon some of the strawberries into the gelatine, then stir the gelatine mixture into the remaining strawberries.
• Pour the evaporated milk and vanilla essence into a large bowl and whisk with an electric beater until foamy. Add the sugar a little at a time, while beating. If the strawberries are not very sweet, you can add a little more sugar. Once the milk mixture is light and fluffy, whisk in the strawberry and gelatine mixture. Spoon the mousse into individual cups, if you prefer. Set in the fridge for approximately 1 hour and serve with extra strawberries.

For this and other yummy recipes by Ideas click here.

Hangers for your flip flops - Super Summer Tutorial!

With summer in full swing we thought we'd share with you this super space saving tutorial that'll have your closet de-cluttered in no time. It's hangers for your flip flops! 

Click here to find your way to EPBOT, the home of this terrific tutorial, and get creating today.

Join in the gravity game with Duffy London

Duffy London is an idea-based company that creates inspirational furniture, lighting and interior products and, as they themselves put it, "many of their designs play with the theme of gravity". Like the Flying Carpet and UP coffee tables which appear to not only defy physics, but also delight onlookers. Then there's the Swing Table the ultimate in dinnertime fun. 

So, if you're looking to sweep guests off their feet, we highly advise that you click here and visit Duffy London's online store.

Lipizzaners Valentine's Day Performance

When? Thursday, 14 February 2013 @ 7pm

Where? The Lipizzaner Centre, No 1 Dahlia Road, Kyalami

Bookings only through Computicket 

Enquiries: 083 601 2104 or 082 457 9725 

E-mail: lipizzaner@hixnet.co.za

Tap Dogs @ Montecasino

Book you tickets via www.computicket.com. 

Lovely bird feeder DIY

This little DIY is perfect for those of you feeling a little lovey-dovey at the mo – there are only 13 days until Valentine’s after all!

So what’s the DIY? It’s a beautiful metallic bird feeder from the folks over at Penelope & Pip, a blog focused on arts, crafts and pretty paper goods. Click here for the tutorial and enjoy your month of love.