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.