Do the Met in style: book your ticket for the Sunglass Hut Luxury Inner Circle tent now

24 Jan 2012, Posted by Cape Town Girl in CTG recommends, Parties, fashion, 0 Comments

There is only one way to do the Met, and that is from the comfort of the Sunglass Hut Inner Circle Tent, for a number of  reasons. Firstly, it’s the Luxury tent. And secondly, a ticket costs R1 500 and you get a R2 000 Sunglass Hut gift card to spend at the Sunglass Hut pop-up store on the day.

Yes let’s do the maths – you win here in every way. And as if the maths isn’t enough, here’s what you can expect:

1. Stylish VIP marquee complete with bar and lounge area
2. A perfect view of the races, with live feed on TV screens
3. Socialising with Sunglass Hut’s Inner Circle a-list friends
4. One pair of designer sunglasses to the value of R2000
5. Delicious canapés and drinks (non-premium drinks available until 19h30)
6. Partying to some of SA’s hottest DJs and musicians

To book yourself  a ticket email events@sunglasshut.co.za

See you there!

X

Dress-up time: Win 2 x tickets to the 5 For Change Event

18 Jan 2012, Posted by Cape Town Girl in CTG recommends, Parties, cape town, competitions, fashion, shopping, south africa, 7 Comments

Have you got your ticket for 5 For Change yet? If you don’t know about it, it’s a Black Tie fundraiser that is raising money for 5 charities that are making a change in our world. Click here to read about the beneficiaries. Tickets are R200, and include performances by Jeremy Loops, I Scream & The Chocolate Stix as well as The Wedding DJs. There will also be great prize giveaways, and everyone will look like they stepped out of Gossip Girl. All for 5 really good causes. Party of the year I’d say, and we’re only in January! Book a ticket here.

I do have a pair of tickets to give to a CTG reader though. If you’d like to win them, just comment here or email editor@capetowngirl.com and tell me how, if you could change the world in one way for the better, what you would do. I’ll announce the winner earl Friday morning, so you still have a chance to organise something gorgeous to wear.

On that topic, I can’t resist the excuse to dress up, especially Black Tie, so yesterday went through to Our Wardrobe to pick out something pretty to wear. How gorgeous is this sequinned number by Catherine Moore? Ah, obsessed!

Best you bookmark and sign up for updates with this site ladies – ourwardrobe.co.za - because it’s going to change your life when they open for business in March.

You know how we’d all love to have a new designer dress for every event? Except designer dresses cost so much you often end up going for dresses you can wear over and over again (ie. safe options)? Well now you can go for the show-stoppers by renting them from Our Wardrobe. You have the option to buy as well, so if you just can’t let go of your dress after a magical night out, you can pay the balance of the cost in and keep it. Because it’s not just a dress. It’s an evening of memories that will last a lifetime (let’s just take a moment for this gorgeous red number, also Catherine Moore).

Now Black Tie – as most of you should have googled – is about 3 main things.

1.) Dresses should cover the knee – 3/4 or full length gowns. Tonight is not the night of the LBD. Showing leg is generally seen as being casual (unless it’s through a side-slit).

2.) Elegant, flattering cuts. Plunging necklines, slits, low backs. Drama over skin.

3.) Shimmering, sparkling fabrics, sequins, satins, lace. Bring out the bling, Black Tie is your time to sparkle and shine.

Some more sequinned inspiration from Our Wardrobe below:

I won’t show you the dress I chose just yet because I’m saving that for the night. But I hope to see you all there! X

Gold-dusted champagne deliciousness

17 Jan 2012, Posted by Cape Town Girl in CTG recommends, food, 0 Comments

I got a late-night treat delivery last night in the form of some CTG macarons. CTG macarons are champagne-infused vanilla flavour, and the absolute best in the world, despite what anyone says about Laduree, etc. Thank you Daniela’s, you made my evening. Taste them for yourself – you can find Daniela’s in the new Cape Quarter next to Dillon & Jada, or stalk them on twitter here, or order off their site here.

Nom noooom!

Clothing, jewellery & decor store love: Mrs & Mrs on Kloof

15 Jan 2012, Posted by Cape Town Girl in CTG recommends, cape town, fashion, girl stuff, shopping, south africa, 0 Comments

Thanks to MEJ I discovered this gem of a store called Mr & Mrs on Kloof Street, on the corner next to Buzz Cafe. Their stuff is gorgeous, with clothing from local designers like Christopher Strong & I Love Leroy, to beautiful imported jewellery & decor items. Lots of lovely things from India in here. The owners of the store are off to India this week to source next things that will be in store next month.

Disco Taxi – Devon Marshbanks

15 Jan 2012, Posted by Cape Town Girl in CTG recommends, music, music video, 0 Comments

Discovered it through this Mahala article, which you should probably read. Maybe liking Disco Taxi is un-PC, but as one of the ‘born frees’, I just wanna dance, and this is catchy as hells yeah.

Scenes from a summer holiday

11 Jan 2012, Posted by Cape Town Girl in CTG recommends, beach, cape town, holiday, lifestyle, south africa, 1 Comments

Just a few fantasy-triggers for those of you at work. Some scenes from recent times at a secret beach.

Think granadilla lollies and spring water that has gone warm because it’s too hot and a heat warning sign on your iPhone.

Everyone squashed up close as the tide comes in

Another dip in paradise? Don’t mind if I do.

End it all off with a nap under the trees.

2012: the year of (exercise) change

09 Jan 2012, Posted by Cape Town Girl in CTG recommends, exercise, girl stuff, gym jabber, sport, 6 Comments

A gloomy New Year's Day - 2012 is the year of changing up my exercise

I’m a creature of habit. I love being able to run a distance, say 10kms, and then run it over and over and over and over again. I like being able to predict my highs, when my calves will get stiff. I like knowing how awesome I’m going to be feeling at the end of it.  And at the end of it, I like knowing that I’m going to do it all again soon, and then allowing myself to stuff my face because 10kms means I can consumer 700 extra calories (let’s talk prego rolls at AndUnion, or Miss K cupcakes, see below).

nom nom

This enjoyment of doing something over and over isn’t all bad – it’s pretty much how I got myself to run in the first place and to push my distance further and further. The thing is, you do this for 6 months, and your body stops responding (so annoying! but anyway). Running 10kms becomes the serotonin-drenched equivalent of lying on the couch, as far as your body is concerned. Sure it keeps the weight off and it makes you happy and clear-headed, but it doesn’t make things tight and ripply. I have no desire to have a super muscled body-builder’s physique, but I like being able to see a little bit of definition when my body moves. This is what I call tight and ripply.

An average day running on the promenade. Not hard to see why one would want to repeat it.

I’ve recently been convinced by James, the owner of Roark Gyms to change up my exercise program and see what kind of results I’d get. So I threw in some kettle bell, and cut my traditional cardio (running / spinning) from an hour to 30 – 40 minutes. I added some wall balls (throwing and catching a weighted ball against a wall, throwing it out of and catching it in a squat position), and a lot of air squats (squatting with my hands above my head). 15 – 20 minutes of this 3 times a week and I saw a change in my body after three weeks, without changing my diet.

The biggest breakthrough for me this past year is realizing that squatting (with just your hands up or with a weight above your head) is like the Mr Muscle of training movements. It  flattens the tummy, helps make a small waste, contributes to the development of a Beyonce bum and nicely shapes out your thighs. You can make it more hectic by increasing the weight you hold over your head, or running between sets. Of course, creature of habit that I am, I now just want to do squat-based training all day every day, but I will diligently push through this urge and find news ways of pushing my body. More coming soon.

Local blogger’s book tops the iTunes bestseller charts

05 Jan 2012, Posted by Cape Town Girl in CTG recommends, book club, south africa, technology, 1 Comments

As a writer, I’m privvy to the bemoaning of the local publishing industry.

“Unless you’re writing about Nelson Mandela or tough times on a farm or have your cover made out of beads, you won’t get published, and you won’t sell” is the general consensus. It’s quite depressing. Publishers are also pretty upfront about the fact that they won’t put any marketing weight behind original fiction that somehow does not ride the ‘Apartheid is over’ bandwagon. Sure the ‘Spud’ unicorns happen once in a pig flying over a blue moon, but mostly it’s a struggle. Local authors who want to achieve success in fiction are forced to look overseas for support – and very often, they get it (because their work is actually good – fancy that!).

Which is why I’m thrilled that local blog I Wrote This For You, who published with I Read I Write has found success on the iTunes poetry charts, appearing no less than 151 times, more than once at No 1 (outselling Charles Bukowksi, possibly my favourite poet of all time).

On iTunes, I Wrote This For You was the best selling book of poetry over the Christmas period in America, the UK and Canada. No mean feat for an SA writer who began his book with a blog. And also the first South African poet to achieve that. It’s very inspiring, since I’m investigating the best way to go about publishing my own book.

Click here to get the links to Amazon, Barnes & Noble and iTunes pages where you can buy the book. It’s available for kindle, iPad and in paperback. I’ve ordered my copy. If you’re not familiar with I Wrote This For You, it’s a collection of poetry moments and images, all written by Iain Thomas (@pleasefindthis on twitter), with photography by Jon Ellis.

Click here for the chart figures.

Get your tickets now for the Annual 5 for Change Fundraiser

19 Dec 2011, Posted by Cape Town Girl in CTG recommends, Parties, a good cause, cape town, charity, 2 Comments

Start 2012 off by doing something good. The 5 for Change annual fundraiser raises money for 5 organisations who are helping make our country a better place, including the African Brothers Football Academy, Green Pop, Let there be light, the My Life Foundation and Write On Africa. This is the first year 5 for Change will be holding the fundraiser, but it’s going to become an annual event.

5 For Change’s Adriaan Dippenaar comments “We were very influenced by the approach taken in the US, particularly in the bigger cities like New York, where black tie events are both a huge social event, and an opportunity to raise funds and awareness for organisations. There isn’t really anything too similar in Cape Town on an annual basis, and we think a city like this deserves its own black tie fundraiser that brings people who are socially active opinion leaders in their circles together to make a difference.”

5 for Change sees throwing a sensational ‘do’ as a way to keep efforts for social change fresh in the memory of party-goers. Dave Deetlefs, 5 For Change co-founder, adds “We hope it will be the start of raising social consciousness amongst young working professionals and showcasing how easy it is to make a difference without necessarily changing your lifestyle.”

If you’d like to be involved in contributing to the great work these organizations do, you can buy a ticket to the 5 for Change benefit here. It promises to be loads of fun. I am pretty excited about dressing up black tie, and having a great night out with my friends while watching Jeremy Loops, the I Scream Stix & the Wedding DJs, especially if it means it will help those less fortunate.

“It’s an interactive evening where guests can view and engage with creative, inspiring and thought provoking displays presented by the 5 different organisations and simultaneously learn more about how these organisations are changing the face of altruism and philanthropic Cape Town” comments Ross Mckernan from 5 For Change.

Time to give back guys. Go get a ticket here, and follow them on facebook here.

Giftspiration continued: Coco Li at Cape Quarter

19 Dec 2011, Posted by Cape Town Girl in CTG recommends, fashion, shopping, south africa, 0 Comments

So chuffed with this awesome little store at the Cape Quarter called Coco Li where I have discovered the MOST amazing things. Like the animal print shorts (above) and the beautiful range of Missibaba clutches (below).

It’s a small shop but it’s PACKED with the kind of clothing, accessories, jewellery and beautiful gifty things, the kind of stuff that makes you do food maths (I’m sure I can live on 2-minute noodles, sardines and cup-a-soups if I really have to). How pretty are these dresses?

And these beautiful tea sets. They also sell 100% organic Honest Chocolate, a great stocking-filler alternative to the usual premium chocolate suspects.

Coco Li also stocks Love Water Love, a swimwear company that makes cozzies that somehow bring out the inner swimsuit illustrated model in you (so in LUST with this full-piece)

You can find Coco Li one level up from the Spar in the new Cape Quarter. It’s in the corner on your right as you come up the escalator.  You can visit the website here.