My ♥ stopped at Design Team Fabrics

This week has made me realise that there is a serious lack of nice fabric in Cape Town. It's so surprising because CT is such a 'designy city'. You get a lot of the same, and I'm going to be honest and say that many stores look like they're only selling curtain material from the 90's. But Design Team is different. I first came across their fabrics at Still Life home and decor and it was love at first sight. My home is scattered with beautiful pillows of theirs, the bunny and bicycle prints being my fave. 


The reason I started the search this week is because I want to cover a canvas in fabric. It's for the baby's room and it's above a bed. 


They have a stunning range of African and Nostalgic prints, if you feel like browsing, just go here.


All pics from Design Team's website.

M♥ma Drama: the toy box.

As I told you a couple of posts ago, I'm expecting a bundle soon. And in true a-type fashion, I've already started thinking about the nursery (amongst other things). I found a really amazing store called Kids Living in Northgate Mall (the one before Century City). They have all the things your bub could need but what impressed me most is they make up kids' furniture. 


I've decided to have a toy chest made for the baby's room, it's great storage for toys and can be used post-baby years but the main reason is, I remember having one as a kid. Nostalgia is a funny thing when you're having a baby, you begin digging up memories from childhood, like for me it's a spongy blue car seat (very 80's) and a blue chest that my toys lived in. So naturally I've made myself believe he'll love the toy chest as much as I did :) 


It's still a work in progress but here's what I've got so far. I'll post pics of the final product when I've got them.


His toy box is based on this one (also done for a customer):

As you can see, it's super minimalist. I've done this because it would be great to use after he's grown, and I can justify the price that way. They've left the gap so that he won't be able to slam his fingers (smart) and the lid goes down slowly, also a safety feature.


Next step is that I want to have vinyl stickers put on the side, to add a bit of fun. Here's the inspiration:

If you're looking for kids' furniture, cots, prams and all the bells and whistles of babyhood, then visit Kids Living. The toy box was very reasonable and I think it's beautiful :)


Which items do you remember from childhood? Was there something that stood out that you'd like to recreate for your little ones?


xxx

My ♥ stopped at Of a Kind.

For more beautiful pieces (some of these are sold out unfortunately) go here.

My ♥ stopped at Chica-Loca!

Feast your eyes on Chica-Loca's new Autumn/Winter range! 
Hawt hawt hawt!

Available at Cavendish Square.

My ♥ stopped when I found out I'm having a baby!

I'm very excited to tell you that I am expecting in November :) So much has happened in the last 5 months and I can't wait to share everything with you. Over the next few months you'll notice a new "mama drama" series on Heartstop, where I'll bring you all my baby inspiration from around Cape Town. Expect beautiful nursery pics and more, plus some honest writing about the highs and lows of the whole experience.


Love,
A happy me. xxx

My ♥ stopped at Old Khaki.

I have fallen in love with Old Khaki! Their Winter range is superb this year. And the exciting news is that they've opened at the V&A Waterfront, so I don't have to schlep to Cavendish every time I need my fix. They have a great range of Winter essentials, skinny jeans and long cardigans, but their scarves always stand out for me. The best part is, most of the above only cost around R140! 


You can buy these online at 36 Boutiques too. 


xxx

My ♥ stopped when I saw winged eyeliner.

Loving this eyeliner, so romantic. I plan on trying it out this weekend. I'm sure it's going to take much practice and might end up looking like I've been punched in the eye, but hey, no pain no gain. Even more appealing is the blue, what do you think? Would you/do you wear your eyes like this?


(pic from here)

My ♥ stopped at Sam Star*.

Lust-haves!

I've only just discovered Sam Star* and already I'm in luurve. She has already graced the pages of many mags and is a self-professed shoe addict (aren't we all?). The shoes are so well made and I adore the red detailing on some of the heels, very Sarah-Jessica. The exciting part is that Chica-Loca, Cavendish, now stocks them! Not only are they comfy, they'd be perfect with a wrap or cocktail dress to give any outfit a special touch. Chica-Loca also stocks Brazilian handbags, so be warned that your boyfriend might need to drag you kicking and screaming from this boutique. FAB-U-LOUS!


Find them at Chica-Loca! Shop Lg 65 Cavendish Square, Claremont CT. 021 6832172


These pics are all off the Sam Star* website.

My ♥ stopped at Fornarina.

Ladies living in JHB, I am SO envious of you! International fashion brand Fornarina has opened in Melrose Arch, and seems to be creating a buzz in fashion circles. The clothes remind me of Miss Sixty and Diesel but with a better looking price tag. Very chic leather jackets and sexy boots, perfect for a night out in Winter. 


Definitely worth checking out if you're in Jozi. For now, I look on lovingly from the Mother City.

My ♥ stopped when I read this.

In June of 1971, just days before his 26-year-old son, Michael, got married, future-U.S. President Ronald Reagan sent him the following letter of advice. I think it's one of the most insightful letters I've read. It made me sad and happy all at the same time.

Michael Reagan
Manhattan Beach, California
June 1971

Dear Mike:

Enclosed is the item I mentioned (with which goes a torn up IOU). I could stop here but I won't.

You've heard all the jokes that have been rousted around by all the "unhappy marrieds" and cynics. Now, in case no one has suggested it, there is another viewpoint. You have entered into the most meaningful relationship there is in all human life. It can be whatever you decide to make it.

Some men feel their masculinity can only be proven if they play out in their own life all the locker-room stories, smugly confident that what a wife doesn't know won't hurt her. The truth is, somehow, way down inside, without her ever finding lipstick on the collar or catching a man in the flimsy excuse of where he was till three A.M., a wife does know, and with that knowing, some of the magic of this relationship disappears. There are more men griping about marriage who kicked the whole thing away themselves than there can ever be wives deserving of blame. There is an old law of physics that you can only get out of a thing as much as you put in it. The man who puts into the marriage only half of what he owns will get that out. Sure, there will be moments when you will see someone or think back to an earlier time and you will be challenged to see if you can still make the grade, but let me tell you how really great is the challenge of proving your masculinity and charm with one woman for the rest of your life. Any man can find a twerp here and there who will go along with cheating, and it doesn't take all that much manhood. It does take quite a man to remain attractive and to be loved by a woman who has heard him snore, seen him unshaven, tended him while he was sick and washed his dirty underwear. Do that and keep her still feeling a warm glow and you will know some very beautiful music. If you truly love a girl, you shouldn't ever want her to feel, when she sees you greet a secretary or a girl you both know, that humiliation of wondering if she was someone who caused you to be late coming home, nor should you want any other woman to be able to meet your wife and know she was smiling behind her eyes as she looked at her, the woman you love, remembering this was the woman you rejected even momentarily for her favors.

Mike, you know better than many what an unhappy home is and what it can do to others. Now you have a chance to make it come out the way it should. There is no greater happiness for a man than approaching a door at the end of a day knowing someone on the other side of that door is waiting for the sound of his footsteps.

Love,

Dad

P.S. You'll never get in trouble if you say "I love you" at least once a day.

Found on a beautiful blog called Letter of Note. 

My ♥ stopped at Mr & Mrs.

New winter dresses by Mr & Mrs on Kloof. Find them on facebook (here). Love love loving that red scarf.

Jewellery ♥-stopper: a merry mishap.

Aren't these rings beautiful? I sometimes feel like chunky jewellery looks strange on me (I have very small fingers) but these rings don't look too over-the-top. They're from amerrymishap, and won't break the bank. 

Love.

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)