Inspiration - FOOD LOVE

I could get lost on these two sites for days! 

Foodgawker       and         Tastespotting

There goes the rest of YOUR day! 

Cape Town Love

We had such a great lil weekend away this past weekend in our favourite city...

Here are just a few pics...

Blissful Cafe Paradiso 

Cafe Paradiso 

Reading the paper on Sunday at Camps Bay

Tree- lined route on the way to Darling 

Mykonos for lunch 

Gorgeous Andrew about to get his prawn on 

We went to Mykonos via Darling - what a waste of time!

Just some thunderclouds

Beautiful Lip Colour - Mac

Walked into the Waterfront branch of Mac Cosmetics on Saturday and almost fell over when I came across the most perfect lip colour known to man. 

Unfortunately the Waterfront couldn't sell me any as they were keeping a box for some fashion show only happening this Friday, but I am absolutely going to try Mac in Sandton - and probably stock on at least 2 tubes as it's a Limited Edition....why do this to us, Mac!

It's called Salute and it's from the Hey Sailor product range which can be seen here

Salute


Anyone who knows me, knows that I've been wearing  Mac's  Myth for about 5 years...so I am super happy to have a peachier alternative! *SQUEAL*

Myth 

Marshmallow Icing

If, like me, you get most of your recipes from blogs, you may have come across an ingredient referred to as Marshmallow Fluff. It’s used as a cake topping  ( & filling ), in desserts, puddings, sauces, milkshakes,  as a dip and even as a sandwich spread.

It comes in various flavours; Original, Strawberry and Raspberry and I’m not going to lie, it looks so delicious, this marshmallow crème…that I do not doubt that I would polish off a jar of this stuff on my own ..hey, it clearly states NO FAT OR CHOLESTEROL on the jar ;)

As I’m always on the quest for the perfect cupcake frosting ( by the way, I think I’ve FOUND it – more about that in another post )  I’ve seen so many recipes which call for the addition of marshmallow fluff, but this recipe is for homemade marshmallow fluff or…MARSHMALLOW ICING

With so few ingredients used, you can afford to give this a try!

TIP: Try and work with the icing while it’s still a tiny bit warm – if you need to store it in the fridge overnight, beat it again with a wooden spoon before you attempt spreading or piping it onto a cake.

You’ll need

120g Castor Sugar

80g Golden Syrup

2 tablespoons water

2 large egg whites

½ teaspoon vanilla extract ( use clear vanilla extract if you can get your hands on it )

1.  On a high heat, place sugar, syrup and the water into a saucepan on the stove. When the mixture starts to bubble and the bubbles almost stick together, but you can still drop the mixture off your spoon in a smooth, slow stream, take it off the heat. This should be achieved in about 2 minutes.

2.       Whisk the egg whites until soft peaks form. Now slowly incorporate the hot sugar mixture into the bowl

3.       When all of the mixture is in the bowl, whip the mixture at a high speed until it becomes thick and glossy and has cooled a bit – add the vanilla extract

4.       Voila! You have enough mixture to ice about 16 cupcakes generously 

There's More Life Than Good Hair, But It's a Good Place to Start

I've been eyeing Aussie Hair's product range for a while now at Clicks. This weekend I decided to splurge and it was SO worth it. 

Not only does Aussie Hair smell delicious, it really delivers. I love a bit of OOMPH and volume so naturally I went straight for the Aussome Volume range. Containing Australian Hop Extract, it leaves your hair smelling edible, and so thick and lush when it dries! I'm a convert after 2 washes!

I also got myself one of their famous 3 Minute Miracle treatments, the Reconstructor ...Awesome packaging  - the treatment is easy to dispense  into your palm, no lid needed, just squeeze and you have a generous amount of 3 Minute Miracle ready to get to work on those tresses!

I think the range is exclusive to Clicks, so make sure to give it a go - you won't regret it! 

Other products in the range cater for 

"Hair long enough to swish" - Luscious Long 

"Everyday cleansing" - Mega Shampoo

"Flywaway frizzy hair - Frizz Miracle

"Hair that is dry,  damaged and a bit unhappy " - Miracle Moist 

The Great Gatsby Official Trailer

With Jack White 'Love Is Blindness' as part of the soundtrack, this is going to be the greatest movie of my life.....

Place I'll Be Going Soon ...Woodlands Eatery

I love going to new restaurants in Cape Town. Andrew and I are HUGE fans of the Madam Zingara restaurants, particularly Cafe Paradiso and Bombay Bicycle Club. I also love Sidewalk Cafe in Vredehoek but I haven't taken Andrew there yet! The vibe in a Cape Town restaurant is always so authentic and cool...the people are laid back in their dress and if you're in an Italian restaurant, you're being served by 5 Italian daughters and their dad is in the kitchen whipping up the pizzas.

Also, the buildings are so beautiful and "old" and I love sitting in a place and wondering how many times the building has changed functions - was it a hotel or a postoffice, or someone's house, or another restaurant, before. 

So fun to speculate.

This weekend we'll be in Cape Town ( going down for a work trip at the end of this week, and staying for a day or two!) and I plan on visiting Woodlands Eatery in Vredehoek! 

I love the shabby chic look! Who am I kidding - I just love Cape Town - and Vredehoek is such a rad area. 

I hear such good things about their pizza and their chocolate fondant...wonder if they do gluten-free bases...hmmmm....I  have seen some other gluten-free items on their menu which fills my tummyheart with JOY!

We are so lucky that we can co-ordinate our work trips every so often - I have loads of clients in Cape Town who i need to see regularly, as well as new business opportunities - and Andrew calls on lots of media and radio in CT tool. 

( Images were found on www.iwantthat.co.za & www.coelhoculture.blogspot.com ) 

http://thewoodlandseatery.co.za/ - the site says that their menu is coming soon

Billboard Music Awards 2012 - Fashion

Who doesn't love Zooey Deschanel ...love those orange lips! 

Wow, Jordin Sparks looking slinky! Love lace...

How great does Taylor Swift look in this red number. I like her simple hairstyle

When did John Legend become the ultimate hipster?

Carrie Underwood looks so pretty in this lavender dress, she's like a Barbie! 

I dig Nelly Furtado, she's a mom now and curvier than she used to be, but I like her style 

I'm not even going to post what Miley Cyrus and Lisa Marie Presley wore...or LMFAO...or Usher 

Anticipation...The Great Gatsby

This was our set-book in Grade 11 : F. Scott Fitzgerald's classic, The Great Gatsby....

I've read the book about a dozen times, and also see the movie version starring Robert Redford, from the 70's a couple times. Just love the storyline, the plot and characters. And the way the author describes the lavish parties which Jay Gatsby throws ...something else! 

Later on this year, a remake starring Leonardo di Caprio, Tobey Maguire and Carey Mulligan is being released and I'm not going to miss it for the world! It's also directed by Baz Luhrmann of Moulin Rouge and Romeo and Juliet fame...

I can't wait to see the sets, outfits and style from the 1920's


Here are some pics below from the upcoming movie 

Durban Time

This weekend we are in Durban until Sunday. 

Flying on Friday at dawn's crack, and doing some business and then chillaxing for the rest of the time! 

What a treat to see my parents and Holly two weekends in a row! 

Passion - Drinking Glasses

Thank goodness I have a relatively big kitchen with loads of cupboard space.

Plates, mugs and GLASSES are my weakness. Every time I'm in a Boardmans, or an @home or a Mr Price Home, you will find me gazing lovingly at the glassware, mostly. ( I am banned from investing in any more if it, though ) 

But, having merged 2 households ( the contents of my flat from Durban Days & Andrew's house ) ...our cutlery, crockery, wine glasses, champagne flutes, tumblers etc are REALLY assorted. You have on the one hand, Amy with her brown leopard print dinner plates,  retro green-leaf embossed tumblers and maroon crystal champagne flutes...and then Andrew, on the other with cutlery he has inherited from mom, and Jack Daniels whiskey tumblers he got free at a club once upon a time.

My dream is one day to have 100% matching crockery and beautiful glassware...one day! It's my weakness! I'll get there slowly...conveniently "breaking" things while washing the dishes every now and then...

So, be my guest and ogle over these beautiful specimens which fill me with delight 

Moroccan Tea Glasses...swoon...

Beautiful Anthropologie Wine Glass

Champagne Flutes!! How awesome

The Enamel- Dipped Glassware Trend 

Settled Confetti tumbler from Anthropologie 

Where have you gone Instant Chai?

There's been a noticeable ( well, in my life anyway ) shortage of 

on the shelves recently! 

I've had my eyes peeled at Spars, Pick 'n Pays etc - has anyone seen this and can anyone point me in the direction of a giant tub of MyChai?

It's delicious on a cold Winter night, and makes a refreshing addition to a Summer smoothie too! 

My famous Summer smoothie recipe consists of 1 tub of Soy Yoghurt from Woolies, 1 frozen banana ( gotta be frozen to add an 'ice-cream' texture ), 1/2 cup of any fruit guice ( guava is pretty good ), 2 slices of paw - paw and one scoop of MyChai Instant Dairy Free powder! 

Oh yeah! 

Simple Side Dish - Green Goddess Rice

I have a favourite recipe, which I would make once a week if it wasn’t for the fact that Andrew’s not so keen on it. I was elaborating on it and making it sound so delicious at dinner with friends the other night, that I have now been asked for the recipe.

I didn’t INVENT this dish, I saw it on the Food Network show, 5 Ingredient Fix…love that show! That woman has my ideal life!

She calls it Green Goddess Rice! It is amazing! The richness of the avocado, the fragrance of the basil leaves and that bite of lemon…You have to try it alongside a nice plump chicken breast and salad, or at your next braai!

You’ll need:

1 avocado

1 cup of fresh basil leaves

3 tablespoons of olive oil

About ½ cup of water

3 tablespoons of lemon juice

Salt and pepper to taste

1 cup basmati rice

1.        Get your rice busy on the stove, by boiling 2 cups of salted water, and adding the basmati rice to it while it’s bubbling. Reduce the heat, and cover with a lid, leaving space for steam to escape. Leave this for 25 minutes while you do your green goddess thing!
2.       Peel and chop the avo into chunks
3.       In a blender, combine the avo chunks, the basil leaves, the olive oil, lemon juice, salt and pepper, and half of the water – blitz it up!
4.       When your green sauce has the consistency of smooth yoghurt, you’re ready – you may need to add a tiny bit more water to the mixture in the blender
5.       Taste the mixture and check if you need to add more salt and pepper
6.       When the rice is ready ( should take 20-25 mins ), fluff it up and then stir the lovely Green Goddess Sauce through, while the rice is still warm! Serve immediately
7.        Don’t blame Amy for your addiction. You did this to yourself! 

Mother's Day Weekend - Kloofzicht Lodge & Spa

A few weeks ago, Andrew took me to Kloofzicht for a surprise Sunday lunch...

Believe me when I tell you that it was a buffet lunch of epic proportions and we agreed that it was the best buffet in Jhb. We're really not fans of a buffet, but we'd heard recommendations about the cuisine, as well as that the Lodge itself was spectacular. 

The Lodge 

One of the dams 

Kloofzicht is in the Cradle of Mankind, and its about a 45 minute drive from our place in Midrand. When you arrive at Kloofzicht you cannot believe you're still in Jo'burg. The feeling of tranquility and luxury washes over you...then your nose gets a waft of the food on offer, and you're sent to sensory heaven. There are multiple dams and beautiful mountains and chalets which serve as your scenery while you're enjoying lunch on the spacious balcony - if you are very lucky you may even spot the hippo that we did, cooling off in the dam...

( There is a spa at the Lodge which looks amazing, so if you want a weekend away, without the flights and long drive, I recommend it! ) 

I didn't take any pictures of the food, but you can eat 'til your heart's content! Starters include soups, rolls, salads of all varieties, cold meats and other treats like quiches, vegetable pastries and potato salads. Mains are every type of roast on offer, prawns, curries, veggies, roast potatoes, rices and all of the sauces and sambals a person could want.

The Sunday dessert selection includes a chocolate fountain, a Baked Alaska with an ice cream ball the size of a rugby ball inside it, and creme brulee to make a grown woman cry! 

The Saturday lunch buffet is a slightly reduced selection, but well worth the trip and the money - as it's also a bit less busy ( read: shorter queues for the food :) ). The Saturday buffet is R150 per head.

The Sunday buffet is R185 pp and you MUST book ahead. 

Check our Kloofzicht Lodge and Spa's website below 

http://www.kloofzicht.co.za/

I was so lucky to have my parents and my little sister Holly, in town for Mother's Day ( they live in Durban ). My older sister and her husband Marco, also joined us, as well as Andrew's parents and his sister and uncle. 

We had such a great lunch with our families and most importantly,  OUR MOMS

Karen, my Mom, Andrew's mom, me, Holly 

Karen, our Dad, me, Holly 

Andrew, looking dashing 

Karen, my Mom, Andrew's mom, me, Holly 

Chocolate Find of the Year! MONTEZUMA'S

I'm somewhat of a chocolate expert - I've tasted them all. And you can tell! *hippy*

When I decided to try a new product sitting on the gondola end at Pick n Pay on Nicol, I didn't expect to be so blown away.

I bought a tiny little slab of Montezuma 54% Cocoa Milk Chocolate Butterscotch ... I know, just the NAME is making me salivate! It was lifechanging, it was dark and rich and so flavourful, but without that bitterness that most dark chocolate has as an aftertaste - that sort of burny unpleasantness. Probably because it was still classified as 'milk chocolate', even though it was the colour of rich soil.

And it's ORGANIC! 

I'm not sure if the range is only stocked by Pick on Pay on Nicol, but if you spot it, but yourself a mini-bar...It's hands-down the best chocolate I've tasted in 28 years! ;)

I went and had a squizz at their website, which is UK based and listen up to some of the other flavours 

Milk Chocolate Space Hopper with Orange 

Dark Chocolate Lordy Lord with Coco Nibs 

Milk Chocolate Jungle Fever with Fruit and Nuts 

Great British Pudding Bars in Treacle Tart, Summer Pudding, Apple Crumble, Eton Mess and many more! 

Monkey Bar range in Nanny Goat ( Salted Peanut and Butterscotch ), Shake and Shiver ( Peppermint and Coco Nibs ), Daisy Roots ( Cherry and Almond Slices ) and many more 

They also have a very cool initiative whereby you can sign up to a their Real Chocolate Club and receive a box of a yummy selection of Montezuma's sweets once a month. 

Too bad it's UK delivery only, can you imagine...

...Look, okay, actually on second thoughts, maybe that's a good thing for my pants' size! 

www.montezumas.co.uk

Triple Points Day 10 May!

I'm a really savvy smartshopper thanks to Pick n Pay and my  Discovery status. Just by swiping my cards and paying on my Discovery Credit Card, I get money back every month for buying Healthy Food - nevermind the fact that my Smartshopper Points are multiplied by 8 because I am a Gold member! Occasionally Pick n Pay and Discovery hold their own triple points days, when you can really score. You can benefit from the multiplier today if you go to Virgin Active or Planet Fitness as well by the way

I'll be at Pick n Pay this afternoon! 

Since the beginning of March, I have accumulated over R500 in Pick n Pay cash-back vouchers, just for buying groceries at Pick n Pay! And with the gigantic  Pick n Pay on Nicol being 10 minutes from my office, shopping is a pleasure!

My parents and sister are coming up for Mother's Day celebrations this weekend, so I need to stock the house with lots of breakfast things and treats. EXCITED! 

We're taking my mom to Kloofzicht Country Lodge in Muldersdrift which is simply amazing, and deserves its own post!