My ♥ stopped at De Oude Bank in Stellenbosch.

The Easter weekend brought with it buckets of rain. And so, we decided to meet a friend at a very cosy spot in Stellenbosch for lunch. De Oude Bank Bakkerij is one of those gems you stumble upon and the type of place that you can spend hours in. The decor is old-school and rustic and true to the history of the place. 

I discovered that the owner, Fritz Schoon, worked under Markus Farbinger at Ile de Pain, which makes complete sense! I adore Ile de Pain (Knysna) and De Oude Bank is equally as wonderful. 

Eat Out had this to say:

"Markus is considered by many as the best baker in the country, and his disciples are easy to spot, owing mostly to their dedication and passion for bread. Fritz is no exception, and he churns out faultless ciabatta, sourdough, dark rye, baguettes, breadsticks and more. Guests are encouraged to grab some bread and use it as the hero for their meal. From there you choose a few of the excellent condiments to smear on top. The award-winning Jamon ham from Jason Lucas is a must, as is the soft and creamy buffalo mozzarella. Other options include blue gum honey, Black Forest ham, various cheese varieties, beef salami, Namibian biltong, mustard glaze, olive tapenade, and shitake mushroom pesto. It’s a refreshingly simple, utterly delicious way to eat."

We ordered a range of goodies, sourdough, ciabatta, olive tapenade, slow roasted tomatoes, Bree, cream cheese, salami, jam, olive sticks and more. The food is served on wooden boards and even the teaspoons are unique and delightful. There is something so amazing about ordering loads of little things and combining them to create a feast. And feast we did. I ate like it was the first time I'd seen food and so I could barely move afterwards.

The wines are all local, and from boutique estates. They rest on beautiful thick wooden shelves, and are surrounded by hanging meats and stacked breads. 

The total bill (for 3 of us) including drinks and red cappuccinos came to R200! R200! INSANE. And really, we kept ordering more and more and more. 

The great part is that everything is also for sale in the restaurant, so we took extra home.

De Oude Bank is the type of place you visit again and again. It's South African food at its finest and the cosy atmosphere (including the small amount of tables) just adds to this Stellenbosch MUST. 

Find De Oude Bank at 7 Church Street, Stellenbosch, 021 883 2187. 

(top pic from capetownmagazine.com)

My ♥ stopped at Woolworths.

R999

R599

R499

R399

R299

We've all noticed the recent weather change. Colder in the mornings and the evenings, the urge to turn on the electric blanket at night. Winter is coming to Cape Town (even if most of Cape Town is still in denial). We're also in for some beautiful Winter days, the days when it's just chilly enough to wear boots and a cardigan, but not cold enough to turn your lips blue (that's still coming). I'm on the boot hunt again, and I always seem to migrate back to Woolworths for this. I've got my eye on the top pair of boots, I just need to convince myself that R1000 is worth it, like telling myself "I'll spend less on dinners out" or "I won't buy that face product", sigh, the lies we tell ourselves. They really do make great boots though. Woolworths used to be the store that made the basics, the kind of store you'd go to to buy that "white tee" or "those pajama pants". Times have definitely changed, and the game has definitely been upped with the help of Country Road and Trenery. I adore Country Road bags and shoes.

Get all of these and more, when you wander over here.

xxx

My ♥ stopped when I realised it's almost Easter.

What's everyone up to this Easter weekend? I hope you will all be spoilt rotten with Lindt Easter bunnies with bells around their necks (secret hope of mine). 

A few things I'll be getting up to this weekend:

• Making a decision about whether to read "Freedom - Jonathan Franzen" or "Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close - Jonathan Foer. I recently finished "Epilogue" by Mary Roiphe, it was everything and a slice of chocolate cake. Loved it in other words.
• Reclining on the sofa to watch "The Beginners". Not 100% sure what it's about but the word is it's good.
• Making potato salad with a feta, Bulgarian yoghurt and mustard dressing. A touch of salt and pepper. Wish me luck.
• Meeting friends for a pizza. It's predicted to rain quite a bit this weekend so this will be the PERFECT evening. Snug and cosy and extra cheese.
• Hanging pictures in the study. This is my Everest at the moment. I have some mental block towards doing it, so I will persevere and hopefully be able to show you the results.
• Wake up ridiculously late on Monday morning, because I can! YIPPEEE!

Have a wonderful Easter all. May it be filled with friends, family and food. 3 ingredients for a happy life.

xxx

(image from Pinterest).

♥ stopper.

What else is there?






(Found here)

My ♥ stopped at Dieu Donne.

You may have noticed that I've been missing for the last week and a bit. I was lucky enough to take a week off to spend time with my family before my brother's wedding. It's not often that everyone can be in the same place at the same time, because we all live busy lives and live far away from each other. 

My sister-in-law is super creative and I just knew this wedding was going to be filled with details and beautiful touches throughout. And of course I was right. The (now) married couple met at Dieu Donne in Franschhoek, where he was the chef and she the pastry chef. If you haven't been to Dieu Donne, I suggest you choose a Saturday morning and head out into the beautiful mountains. The wine estate is situated at the top of Franschhoek, and overlooks the valley. The view is breathtaking from up there and the PERFECT backdrop for a wedding. I don't have photos to share with you yet, because the wedding was on Saturday, but as soon as I do, I will post about it. 

There is something so special about the area, almost lost in time. The streets are clean and everywhere you look creative people have set themselves up and are trading. It really does remind you of Europe. 

We stayed at Le Franschhoek Hotel, which is just passed the monument at the end of the main road. It was superb! Leafy and green and tucked away, the Hotel is surrounded by birds and squirrels and makes a nice change from the city. The villas are spacious and have a slight old-world feel about them. The type of place you could hide away for some time off. And of course, the food in Franschhoek is top-notch. It seems all great chefs culminate here and there is no such thing as a bad dish. I also discovered that you won't find a take-away franchise in Franschhoek, they don't allow it, interesting and a sign of how seriously they protect their culinary magic. 

I've been to Franschhoek many times before, but this time was the most special and it was difficult to come home yesterday. We live in a beautiful country, get out and go and experience it. Years from now, you will feel lucky that you got to see the open spaces, because chances are many new buildings and homes will replace them. 

My ♥ stopped when I saw these Summer dresses.

Don't these women look amazing? At first glance, you think they're wearing a skirt and white top, when in fact, they're wearing dresses! My favourite is the green one. I'd love to pair it with gold sandals and accessories. The perfect outfit for meeting a friend for lunch, or a summery breakfast. LOVE! It's going to be getting colder in Cape Town soon, and we'll be bringing out the boots and tights no doubt, but until then, I'm going to enjoy long skirts and long lazy days.

You can buy one, here, for about R1000.

xxx

My ♥ stopped at Mr and Mrs.

Mr and Mrs on Kloof definitely deserves a visit:

"After a year of travelling through Indonesia, Argentina and India Cecil and Sarah Jane Bosman have returned to open their new store on Kloof street, Cape Town - Mr and Mrs Lifestyle and Design. The store is a treasure trove of beautiful cottons, ceramics, jewellery, furniture and clothing. Mr and Mrs Hosts a range of South African fashion designers including I Love Leroy , Take Care , Two , Silverspoon, Amanda Laird Cherry , Christopher Strong and Missibaba. Mr and Mrs stocks something for everyone, their current stock includes: hot summer fashion ranges by leading local designers, giftware, homeware, jewellery as well as imported furniture."

The rings, oh the rings! I am in love with gold at the moment. They're 22 Carat double micron gold plated beautifulness! I have a birthday coming up next month, so I think I should drop a few hints for one of those. 

Mr and Mrs is opening their online store soon (much to the detriment of many a credit card). You can find it here. The store is located where Heartworx used to be on Kloof. 

Truly lovely stuff.

My ♥ stopped at Still Life.

Lunch times have become exploring times. I'm lucky enough to work in Kloof Street, which means I am so close to so many amazing stores. On a beautiful day, walking down Long Street and discovering new places to eat and shop is a must for myself and a few friends. We've formed a 'lunch club' and we make it our mission to taste everything Cape Town has to offer. Well Kloof Street has to offer for now. Yesterday we made our way down to Still Life on Long, to see owner Karen's new range. It doesn't disappoint! Faves include the multi-coloured babies and that GORG white cat (top right). She also boasts one of the biggest ranges of lampshades in CT, made with beautiful fabrics. 


I have to ration myself when venturing into Still Life and yesterday was punishment right before payday. There's something for every home in this store. You'll love it. I promise.

My ♥ stopped at Moth.

Just a taste of what you can find at the Lot in Canal Walk. I adore Moth clothing, and am a regular at Wardrobe on Kloof, where I bought myself the most amaze brown belt. The clothes are super feminine and always on trend. *please hurry payday*




(pics from here)

My ♥ stopped when I discovered Mary Oliver

Wild Geese 
You do not have to be good.
You do not have to walk on your knees
for a hundred miles through the desert repenting.
You only have to let the soft animal of your body
love what it loves.

Tell me about despair, yours, and I will tell you mine.
Meanwhile the world goes on.
Meanwhile the sun and the clear pebbles of the rain
are moving across the landscapes,
over the prairies and the deep trees,
the mountains and the rivers.
Meanwhile the wild geese, high in the clean blue air,
are heading home again.

Whoever you are, no matter how lonely,
the world offers itself to your imagination,
calls to you like the wild geese, harsh and exciting —
over and over announcing your place
in the family of things.


Mary Oliver - Dream Work


(pic from Google)

Jewellery He♥rtstopper: Collect Coins

Today I received a mail about Collect jewellery's latest range, the Vintage Coin Collection.

I think there's is something so romantic about coins, layered in memories and intricate in design. Some people collect them or have them passed down to them. Others have memories about what certain coins meant to them at some time in their lives. Me, I remember getting R2 from my mom in junior school, I remember that this R2 could go very far, and could buy me many things at the tuck shop. Now, it's almost too little to tip a car guard. But then it was my treasure.

Collect's new range is definitely something to consider when getting someone a special gift, something sentimental yet current. I also LOVE the pocket-watch-style silver chains. 

 ''... Consider the journey of  coin, the tales it could tell, the people it has seen, carrying with it a collection of precious memories over time....the French Franc that bought an entry to the MoulinRouge, an Indian Rupee that perhaps Ghandi purchased spices with, the Mexican Peseta that Frida Khalo bought roses with, or even the South African Cent that passed through the hands of our Grandparents? How precious to have and hold a piece of such exquisite history..."

The small tikkie starts at R600 and goes up to +- R1200 for the XL ones. Perfect as an extra-special gift for an extra-special someone. 

The best part is, you can bring in your own coin and have it set,  which makes it even more special and relevant.

Beautiful. 

Find Collect Jewellery here xxx 

My ♥ stopped at Etsy.

How CUTE is this bunting necklace from etsy!? I'd like to see it with a silver chain (maybe a long silver chain). 


"This necklace is made from celluloid. It has to be worked cool, and wet. I melts at a low temperature. All the chic french costume jewelry was made out of this starting in the mid 50's. It lasts forever."


LOVE!


(Thanks Kerry)

My ♥ stopped at Zara!

Want!

Off topic, don't her legs look Barbie-like?

LOVE!

Died and went to corporate heaven

Hello 90's nice to see you again

Every South African woman jumped for joy when she found out Zara was coming to SA. But when I found out it was opening in Sandton,  Johannesburg, my orginal YAY, turned into a yay. BUT! A little birdie on Twitter told me that Zara is coming to the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town - YAY! And if their new collection (above) is anything to go by, it's going to be my new favourite after work spot. I visited Zara in Bangkok recently and bought myself a gorgeous little leather jacket, which will remain in my cupboard unloved until winter. 


We love you Zara, and we're happy you're here.


(credits: Kim Gray, Shadders)

My ♥ stopped in the 90's

Kate, 90's Vogue

Via Sartorialist

Via revolveclothing

Christy, 90's Vogue

Via Google

In 1990 I was 6 years old. Class 1 as they used to call it. I remember so much about the way my mom dressed back then, probably because she was one of the only things in my scope of reference at that age. My mom had a shoulder length perm, and wore an oversized jersey and some tights on my first day of school. The jersey was knitted, with a pattern on it. And the tights still resembled the 80's. I used to sit on her bed and watch her do her make-up, one of the most therapeutic things, and something I still enjoy when I go home. I remember watching my mom and dad getting ready to go out to dinner parties, my mom with shoulder pads and a sequined bag. And I used to wish that I was big enough to go with them. On Saturdays, they played tennis with their friends at the Hilton club, and my mom used to wear 'skorts' or shorts mixed with a skirt. 


Mid 90's I remember my mom falling in love with hats. She wore them when we went to town. She and I would go and get a coffee (me a Fanta Grape) at a small coffee shop near where my dad worked. Back then going to town seemed like a big excursion for me. In the car on the way home, she used to play the Modern Talking cassette and I would sing along in the back. My friends and I used to make up dances to songs like 'No Limit' and then perform them for whoever would watch (I'd forgotten how embarrassing the 90's were).


These memories have come flooding back since I noticed the 90's fashion trend, creeping up on us one high-wasted skirt at a time. I actually think it's very feminine, and feels more ethereal than the 'in your face' 80's. 


What are some of your memories? I love a story from a time gone by...

Heartstopper Recipe: Gruyere potato bake

2012 is my "Nigella year". So far, there's been more of the eating Nigella than the cooking Nigella, but hey, the intentions are good. I love anything simple when it comes to cooking and I can't be bothered to cook some elaborate dish, that takes time away from, well, my life. Watching Masterchef recently, I came across a Gruyere potato bake, and let's face it, who doesn't love a potato bake? And a gruyere one? To die for. The contestant cooked it with fillet and asparagus, but really it goes with a host of other foods.

Prep Time: 10 mins

Serves 6-8

10 large potatoes (2kgs), peeled and sliced

4 cloves of garlic, finely sliced

100g gruyere cheese, coarsely grated

1- 1 1/2 cups of cream

2 tsp salt (more if you use flaky salt)

ground black pepper

preheat oven to 200C/400F.

Grease the base and sides of a 25cm x 30cm shallow baking dish. Place sliced potatoes with garlic, cheese, cream, salt and pepper in the baking dish.

Toss to combine, making sure that each potato slice is coated with cream. Spread mixture evenly in the dish. Bake until potatoes are tender and golden, about 1 - 1 1/4 hours.

YUM!

(Recipe found at food24.com)

My ♥ stopped in our office

We are in the process of doing up our study at home. We moved into our home a good while ago, and I had all good intentions of decorating each room within the first couple of months. It didn't go as planned. Our study is the only room in the house that is empty and unloved. I think it's because I've been waiting to find the 'perfect' pieces for it, and have now realised that I need to go on a hunt in CT to find these things. I've made it my project now. I've found some office inspiration...

All pics courtesy of Pinterest (but of course). 

There's one thing I'm looking for in particular, a brass lamp. Something in the same family as these...

I think I might do a before and after series. We're having a desk custom-made, and still need to create a photo wall, plus have to decide whether to do a book shelf or floating shelves. So many decisions, so little cash flow ha ha. I put the lamp out to the panel on Twitter this morning and got some good store recommendations, one of which was Vamp, so I'll be heading to check it out soon. 

Feel free to leave me some store suggestions for anything office-like. I would appreciate the help.

x