Wabi-Sabi Cacti...

/ Grahamstown, South Africa/


These sweet succulents most definitely caught my eye as I was wondering around the stores at the Village Green in Grahamstown this past week, and with such innovative packaging, who could resist!

These are on sale in Tent Number 1 at the Village Green :)

For more information on these and many more available at the Wabi-Sabi Succulent Nursery, email Celeste at wolmarans@geenet.co.za

**Chic♥Revolution**

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Chic♥Revolution, a flea market styled decor store, has it's very own spot at the National Arts Festival Village Green, Grahamstown. Furniture, Decor, Linen & Gifts are what this store is all about...so head down to Tent Number 1 and feast your eyes...


Chic♥Revolution is based in Port Elizabeth, in the heart or Richmond Hill. Click here to have a squizz at their website where everything is available for purchase online, and click here to check out their facebook group! Local is lekker :)


Rain Rain Go Away!

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Image from WeHeartIt
It rained today. Thats all it did. The whole day. They even closed the Village Green due to flooding :( And then the electricity went off in town. But apart from all of that...it was a lovely day filled with some excellent shows! One in particular, Batsumi was exceptional. A hauntingly beautiful tale of hunting, gathering and everything in between. Powerful and strong, yet unequivocally graceful, the dancers were astounding. A definite must see if you're around...click here for more booking information. The last 2 performances will be tomorrow at 14:00 and 18:30 in the Alec Mullins Hall.

So here's to good show's, no more rain and lots and lots of sherry tonight to keep us all warm!

Festival Fun...

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Day 2, 3, 4 (and right now 5) of the Grahamstown National Arts Festival have been and gone. The weather has improved, and there is a lovely buzz in the air as people are coming and going all about town. If you are here, save yourself R65 and instead of watching the Mark Banks Comedy Show, treat yourself to a new beanie or pendant at the Village Green :)

Or indulge in something a little tastier...


If you're feeling parched...


There's even something for those of us with a sweet tooth...

There really is something for everyone here at "Amazing"...and if you're still wondering what to do to keep yourself amused why not try out one of the talks at ThinkFest, the intellectual side of the Festival. For more info on that click here. We're going to hear Zapiro's talk tomorrow...should be interesting?!

**Take Care** Clothing

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Cape Town based designer Jessica Harwood launched
her label under the name 'Take Care' in Spring 2008.
Her clothing has since become known for
its simple sophistication and understated femininity.

Take Care is also around for the Grahamstown Arts Festival, if you are around and about, check out their store in Tent Number 1.
Click here for their website, and click here to visit their facebook group


The Pendant Warehouse...

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Stocking some of the most lovingly hand crafted goodies I have ever come across, I now present you with...The Pendant Warehouse.


 Founded in 2005, The Pendant Warehouse is based in Vredehoek, Cape Town. 


Each pendant is carefully and oh so thoughtfully put together by the very trendy and super friendly Hanici. If you are around for the National Arts Festival in Grahamstown, you just have to pop into their store. They are situated in tent number 1, close to the entrance nearest the Student Union Building. At only R80 a pop, you might just have to make more than one purchase :)
Click here to visit their website, and click here for their facebook page.


Scavenging...

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The art of Scavenging (according to a recent episode of Jerry Springor, scavenging is most definitely an art) can be a very painstakingly slow process requiring reams of patience and dedication.  And sometimes you strike gold...like Cameron did with his wooden box.

To be really successful, make friends with the scrap heap owner...he may even give you junk, *ahem* I mean potential treasures, for free!




There are 2 scrap yards in Grahamstown for you to try your luck at, Roxcell which is located just past the Golf Club on the outskirts of town and there seems to be another one nearby Roxcell (not sure exactly where) but most scrappers seem to recommend Roxcell. Have fun!

**Little Birdie**

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From beanies to gloves, cup warmers to gorgeous hairbands...I couldn't help but make a few purchases! 

Here are a few delights from the lovely Robyn at Little Birdie...




If you are around for the Festival, you can check out her wares at the end of Tent Number 4. She is sharing with 3 other talented folk selling beautiful photographs and other hand made goodies :)

For more information you can contact Robyn at robyn.devilliers[at]gmail[dot]com 

Grahamstown Festival...Day 1

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So, day 1 of "Amazing" has come and gone. Even the gale force winds and frequent burst of rain could do little to deter market-goers from their hunt for treasures. Here's a sneak peak of what was on offer at the Village Green Market today...




Even managed to catch a sneaky show, Tellin' Tales by Gavin Bonner...percussionist, storyteller, freestyle poet. What a treat! If you're around for the Festival, consider booking yourself a ticket. He is showing at the Monument B2 Arena, tickets cost R45. Click here for more info!

A great starts to what is hopefully going to be a *warm and sunny* week of festivities :)

Grahamstown Festival 2011!!

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Starting next thursday, June 30th is the annual National Arts Festival...yipee!

To see whats showing click here for the website and click here for the facebook group to stay up to date with whats going on! 

I'm going to be here in Grahamstown for at least the first few days, so look out for some pic's and other cool stuff when the Festival kicks off next week :)

Revlon's latest offerings...

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Revlon's new Colour Stay Aqua Mineral Make Up Foundation 

What it says on Revlon's website:
NEW Colorstay Aqua™ Mineral Makeup delivers a burst of hydrating coconut water and an instant cooling sensation upon application. The result: your skin looks luminous and its texture smoother. With a shine-free formula that’s made with water, not oil, this lightweight powder gives you a fresh, flawless finish that lasts all day.
Fragrance free and non-irritating.
Provides medium coverage in 8 beautiful shades, with SPF 13 protection.
Although it doesn't give that much coverage it feels wonderful on my skin. And what a cool brush hey?! It's lightweight and is perfect for when you need something quick and easy to apply when you're dashing out the door. Works like a charm if your after something lightweight that lasts all day...R150


Revlon Custom Eyes Eyeshadow 5 colour Palette in "Sweet Innocence" R145 (*+- a few rand if I remember correctly)...the swatch on my hand above are the colours in the palette from right to left :)

So there you go, just some of Revlon's latest that I thought I'd share with you :)

**Lemon Cordial**

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A great way to use up lemon's if you have a tree bursting with them, otherwise, an easy way to up your intake of Vitamin C this winter...


Ingredients 
12 lemons
30g Epsom Salts
30g Tartaric Acid
30g Citric Acid
1kg sugar (yikes! There really is no other way to sweeten it...but sweeten to your own taste buds)
3 litres boiling water

Step 1: Get yourself a lemon picker (or head out to your nearest fruit and veg store).



Step 2: Squeeze those little guys! If you have a food processor, then peel the rind of the lemons and zap them into the machine. If not, go the old fashion way and squeeze them by hand.


Step 3: Add the rest of the ingredients to the boiling water. Sift the lemon juice into the pot to get rid of those unsavoury bits...don't forget to keep stirring until all the sugar dissolves.




Step 4: Once all the sugar has dissolved (keep tasting it and adding more if you need to) then it's time to decant! Add some labels to your creation, and there you go. Great drunk with lemonade or soda water for an extra fizz..otherwise just plain water is yummy too :)

Make your own *HuMmUs*

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This is an easy peasy 5 minute recipe to make your own healthy Hummus for spreading on toast or as a dip :)



Ingredients
3 garlic cloves, minced
1/4 cup plain low-fat yogurt
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon olive oil
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon paprika
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1 can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped




Directions

Combine everything in a blender or food processor and voila!
If the mixture is too dry, add more yogurt to make it smooth and creamy.

*enjoy!*

*Pat on the Back* for SA Post!

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At the end of February this year, my boyfriend and I (the Farmboy to this Citygirl), touched back down on South African soil after spending a year living & teaching English in South Korea (click here for more info on that!). 


And now, a mere 4 months later, all 6 of our boxes which we shipped from Korea have arrived safely in SA. Shock Horror! We had heard awful stories of things going missing as well as huge amounts of duty needing to be paid after certain individuals had helped themselves to early Christmas presents. Well this certainly was not the case for us. We had both (ok, ok, mainly just me) accumulated so much stuff from our year overseas (I blame the stationary stores) that we needed to do something with the goodies which wouldn't fit into our suitcases. So we decided to ship some boxes, and  didn't expect any of them to arrive.

So...from both of us, a *HuGe* thank you to the South African Postal Service! 

Market on Main...Jo'burg

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Market On Main is the market for Johannesburg, made by Johannesburg. Open every Sunday at Arts on Main from 10am - 3pm. What a great place to meet new & interesting people, while stuffing your face with loads of yummy treats.



Directions:

Next door to The Bioscope at 286 Fox Street, Johannessburg 2094

click here for GoogleMaps
For more information, click here for their website.
More grown up than the I Heart Market in Durban, Market On Main has a slightly more modern, city-slicker atmosphere...and so it should being a Market by Joburg for Joburg. Definitely worth a visit (*just make sure to go hungry!).

Make Up: Good Quality...Nice Price

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Australian MakeUp brand Essence has been around in Clicks here in South Africa for a while now, but at first I was a bit hesitant to try any of the range.  After walking straight past numerous times, I decided to give it a try (*I must admit it might have had more to do with my balance of funds than anything else*). I was not disappointed!

First up...
'Essence Mosaic Powder'

"with different perfectly aligned colours each, these mosaic powders conjure-up either a gorgeous rosy complexion or a sun-kissed tanned look. you now have a choice of the mosaic powder in a natural fresh colour combination or as a gentle bronzing powder"





'Essence Colour & Shine' Eyeshadow


"sure to satisfy even the highest demands on eye make-up: the baked colour & shine eyeshadows contain an unusually high pearl pigmentation to make your eyes shine like the stars! thanks to the triple-colored marbling, the light colors are especially radiant while the darker shades have incredible depth. the silky powder texture makes application really easy and the colors are super vibrant! apply moist for even more intensive results"




The Mosaic powder works wonderfully as a very subtle bronzer with lots of shimmer, and it lasts all day. The eyeshadows are easy to blend and are highly pigmented, so they really show up well.


Above is my growing collection...the swatch on the right are the eye shadow colours. The colour & shine shadow was from their 'Bohemia' range in "Good Old Times" and the duo eyeshadow in "Girls Night Out".

And look at these cute 'styling cards' you can download from the website:

































Don'y let the young girly looking advertising put you off, with prices ranging from R30 - R80, you definitely get bang for your buck :)

Plus, Essence doe not test their products on animals (*yay*). Essence is stocked at most Clicks & Dischem Stores.