CAPE TOWN DIVA

Getting a dose of Vintage in Cape Town...

Vintage Day in Observatory, Cape Town. I heard about it from a friend of mind from Istanbul would you believe? On holiday here, she texted me Sunday morning asking if Lateral Paul & I wanted to join her there. A quick Google about the event and voila, we were on our way.

At first I wasn't terribly impressed... other than a few Mini Minors, an old Citroen, a Beetle and a Chevy Biscayne, it looked like a typical car show, just with way fewer wheels on display. And then we spotted Maria and Zigi from the Rockabilly fest, and the guys from Donford and the smallest of food trucks with a teensy pizza oven making those 'you want me' thin-based pizzas, and things starting looking up. And then, sadly for my bank balance, I came across Lolo from France, and her superb collection of vintage shoes, boots, coats and shirts. Yes, knowing I didn't actually need any of it, I browsed, shopped and departed with acquisitions. Well at least they're French acquisitions. Je suis ridiculous.

A section of the Obs Lower Main Road was closed off, and what a vibe! The most gorgeous classic and vintage cars lined the street, people were cupping hands against eyes and peering into car windows, ooh'ing and aah'ing at beautifully restored interiors and finishes...those sedans are such a great tribute to a great era that oozed style, class and a way slower pace. If only...

People-watching over a cider at a sidewalk cafe was very entertaining... Blue Haired Betty flounced by looking like an exotic bird and even a Penny Farthing wheeled by...it was amazing. I had a totally fab time...look out for the next event for your throwback to a time gone by.

Interiors to envy...

Zigi Strydom from the Rockabilly Fest...

Ralph, Paul & a very cool guy in a onesie...

Penny Farthing...

Blue Haired Betty...

Fab thin base pizza from the smallest of food trucks...

Fantastic vintage show collection from Lolo from France...I dropped rather a few ZAR there...

That's me & Lateral Paul, the petrol head...

Labels: Beautiful Cape Town, Events, Way Back When

Design Indaba 2014 - capturing the creative spirit of Africa

I awoke on Monday morning with a sensory overload hangover and for that I'm blaming the Design Indaba Expo, Cape Town's creative piece de resistance!

Every year I look forward to trawling the design bedecked CTICC halls, and am never disappointed by what I discover. Obviously certain things make my heart beat a bit faster than others but generally I am in awe of what people are creating in this superb City I call home - the passion that drives innovation and gives birth to exceptional end products boggles my mind.
It takes boldness and great self-belief to get one's dream to move from being in the idea or vision stage into something tangible and beautiful, and from me, a big round of applause goes to everyone - to the over 450 exhibitors who presented this year.

From clothing, to ceramics, jewellery, furniture, lighting, art, utensils, accessories and all that's in between, the Design Indaba exhibitors served up uber innovation and to have the chance to meet some the designers themselves was the cherry on the top. Cape Town has an inspiring and infectious positive energy - we are rocking with talent. No surprises then that the City is the 2014 World Design Capital - their bid theme of 'Live Design. Transform Life' is perfectly followed through at the Indaba.

For those who aren't remotely design-inclined, but are looking to open up to a new dimension of life, Design Indaba is a must-do event. Or if you believe you have design talent, maybe you can become one of their Emerging Creatives...there's a measure of the Creative in everyone, looking to get out. For more info, visit http://www.designindaba.com/profiles/exhibitors/emerging-creatives/2013.

Some of the beautiful things that captured my lens...

My favourite shirt store in SA, bluecollarwhitecollar ...in the Lifestyle Centre on Kloof in Cape Town, at The Zone in Rosebank in Joburg, the Biscuit Mill in Woodstock on Saturdays and Neighbourgoods Market in Braamfontein...

Rings by Fatima Kader at Sugarbird...

Not forgetting the little people...

Bags by Kat van Duinen...

Marvellous mohair...

Ceramic mugs by Liesel Trautman ...

A pendant by Emerging Creative Siviwe...

Beautiful lights....

Necklaces...this one is by Tiffany Marx...

Ceramics by Maureen Visagé...

Monkeybiz - creating beaded wonders...

Rings...

People made magic with their stands...

Erika Wessels jewellery... the fresh tulips were a fabulous touch...

Ceramics...

Milk, creating mohair and felt items...

Kira Levy's contemporary creations...love the soft salmon pink stone...

Innovation with a cause - 'Goodbye Malaria' - read more re Sonhos on Facebook

Bright bags ...

For the ins and outs of Design Indaba, www.designindaba.co.za - see you next year for an innovation thrill and uber inspiration!

All photos copyright DIVA PR, shot on a Canon 600D, 50mm lens.

Labels: Beautiful Cape Town, Design, Events, Lifestyle

Tutus, tulle, tights & tiaras...a Night at the Ballet...

Friday evening found me in Johannesburg at the International Ballet Gala, presented by uber ballet entrepreneur Dirk Badenhorst, at the splendid Teatro at Montecasino. The season, only 5 performances long (28-30 June), was a tribute to one of the greatest names in Classical Ballet, Alicia Alonso, & she herself was in the audience of 1,800. It was an unforgettable night as top dancers from SA & around the world ~ Cuba, China, the USA, Russia, Australia & more ~ paid homage to Madame Alonso, dancing spectacularly in pas de deux & solo variations that had me screaming Bravo every 5 seconds! The cast delivered outstandingly, executing bravura ballet at its best... split leaps, multiple pirouettes, barrel turns, jetes en tournant & more...I think my mouth was hanging open again, in very un-Diva fashion. Tutus, tulle, tights, tiaras...I was in my element ~ everything was, as they say, beautiful at the Ballet.

Here are a few photographs I took backstage before & after the performance...

My favourite image....

Alicia Alonso & the cast of the International Ballet Gala backstage afterwards.

The next top international dance company performing in Cape Town this year is Introdans from The Netherlands ~ they will perform Superstars in September 2013 at the Baxter Theatre with booking via Computicket or 08619158000 / www.baxter.co.za *

Posted with Blogsy

Labels: Ballet, Events

It's Winter~there's a Special waiting for you...

Harbour House Waterfront & Kalk Bay offer fabulous specials on their Winter menu, running from May to October annually. The menu changes monthly & is a steal at R150 for two courses & R170 for three, excluding drinks (have a look at the full menu on www.harourhouse.co.za). Last week I invited a few fabulous Tweeters & Bloggers to the Waterfront restaurant to come & sample the fare~ our first Meet, Eat & Tweet gathering & it was amaze fun...I'll be doing it monthly...

The House Salad: rocket, crispy bacon, Bella rosa tomatoes, avo & Parmesan, tossed in whole grain mustard vinaigrette & served with garlic rubbed croutons, peas, basil mayo & a soft poached egg...