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Book Club: 2 Brilliant Books I’ve Read This Year

Book Club

Loren

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16/07/2018

I have always been an avid reader (hence a book club section on my blog) but this year I have really upped my reading game and have managed to devour one book after the other. In this months book club post I am going to be sharing with you 2 absolutely brilliant books I have read this year. When I say brilliant, I mean so brilliant that when I finished each one, I wanted to read on and on and on.

FRIEND REQUEST (By Laura Marshall)

When I first saw this book, I knew I had to read it. I have such a fascination with social media and how it has become an everyday normal to be on it. As much as social media fascinates me, it also terrifies me because you don’t know who/what is lurking behind that profile that follows you.

Friend Request is about Louise Williams, who is a single mother to four year old Henry. It’s an ordinary day when Louise receives an email that will change her life: Maria Weston wants to be friends on Facebook … But guess what? Maria Weston is dead! It is from here, that you instantly get pulled it and you never want to put the book down. Louise has absolutely no idea who is behind this Maria Weston profile but all she knows is that if the truth comes out, her life is ruined!

The story line really gets you thinking … Is someone playing a joke on Louise? Could Maria possibly be alive still? Or what has Louise done that she feels so guilty about all of this?

Well, I am not going to tell you because you have to read this book for yourself!

Friend Request is brilliant and definitely one of my favourite reads of this year. Not only is it suspenseful with a great story but it brings up issues which are so relevant to what’s happening in the world today – how dangerous social media can be! It also brings up issues of friendship, marriage and more.

The book is full of mystery, suspense, real world issues and has easy relatable characters. It’s definitely a must read!

LITTLE FIRES EVERYWHERE (BY Celeste Ng)

Celeste Ng is now one of my favourite authors just from reading Little Fires Everywhere. She has another book called Everything I Never Told You which is downloaded on my Kindle waiting to be read.

Little Fires Everywhere opens to a scene in the immediate aftermath of a house fire, at the Richardson’s house, a well-off family living in the Cleveland suburb of Shaker Heights. The story then rewinds to the previous summer, and works its way through events and happenings leading back up to the fire the book opened with.

On the surface, both families in the book look like your typical family with normal family dynamics but the more you read the more you get to explore their backgrounds and upbringing. All of this contributes to the absolutely brilliant story!

I also loved how each character plays a role leading up to the climax of the story line. The author does a fantastic job exposing each characters personality which contributes to choices made throughout the story.

So if you’re looking for a terrific story, with great character development and beautiful writing, get yourself a copy of Little Fires Everywhere. It’s a book that when you finish, you sad to leave the characters behind!

♥

5 Reasons to visit the Kruger National Park

Loren

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10/07/2018

1

We visit the Kruger National Park every year. Yip, every year! If you’ve never visited before, and if anything should be on your bucket list, it should be a trip to the park. You’re probably not sure what the fuss is all about and why we love it so much, so I have rounded up 5 of the very best reasons to persuade you to make the best decision you’ll ever make. Ha!

1. The Wildlife

The Kruger National Park is home to over 145 species of mammals including the Big Five. The best part (obviously) is looking for them which makes the level of excitement so high! If you didn’t know, the term “Big Five” refers to the five most dangerous animals to hunt in South Africa. They can be found throughout the whole park, so your chances are relatively high.

What we always do, is print a checklist, so we can tick off what we see. This helps to track our findings and also adds to the lvel of excitement.

2. The Climate

The best thing about The Kruger National Park is you can visit all year round. Each season brings its own special perks. For example, the dry winter months are known to be the best for game viewing and the wet summer months have new-borns, full waterholes and migrant birds to offer.

We like to go in winter time because summer tends to get way too hot.

3. The Sunrises and Sunsets

I’m not going to say much here. I’ll just let my photos do the talking …

4. The Perfect Place to Destress

If you’re looking for the perfect place to destress and clear your mind, the Kruger National Park is the only place. Looking for animals while driving around all day distracts your mind from everyday stressors. Let’s not forget also that phone reception is non existent in some areas. And after a long day, getting back to your camp, pouring yourself a G&T is the ultimate in relaxation.

5. The Affordability

The park has something for everyone, no matter what your budget is. There are so many options to choose from ranging from basic camping all the way up to five star ultimate luxury.

So now, you have no excuse to plan that trip. If you need help planning your first trip, send me an email and I can definitely guide you.

♥

Blogging tips: How to Start a Blog (Part 1)

Blogging Tips

Loren

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05/07/2018

4

Welcome to the very first post in my new series all about blogging tips. If you missed the introductory post on what this is all about, then read here. In this first post I am going to chat about all the things you need to consider before you start a blog.

Before you start a blog, you need to find your niche, do research and plan ahead. What I mean by this is, you can’t just one day think “hmmm, I’m going to start a blog” and 5 minutes later you have a blog in front of you and have nothing to blog about. You also don’t want to start a blog and a few months later change the whole thing because you don’t love what you’re blogging about.

That’s what happened with me, and because these blogging tips are based on my blogging journey, I will share these mistakes with you. I started a beauty blog where I planned on blogging just about beauty. I then started running out of beauty products to blog about and realised I love all things travel more. So I then blogged more about travel, especially through beautiful South Africa, and less about beauty. I now have a travel, food and lifestyle blog which I didn’t even think of years ago when I first started my blog.

Having said the above, here are 5 things to consider before you start a blog:

1. FIND YOUR PASSION

Before you start a blog you want to find a topic you love to constantly write about. Blogging is a lot of fun but also a lot of work and you don’t want to blog on a topic just for the sake of having a blog. There are so many topics you can blog about, but just make sure you’re passionate about it and it comes to you naturally. If the topic isn’t your passion, it will show in your writing, and then what’s the point?

I started a beauty blog but found I was running out of content, ideas and inspiration. I like beauty but not enough to have carried on just being a beauty blogger. What I do love though and have always loved since I can remember is food, travelling and living in beautiful South Africa – and this is what Minkys is all about now!

If you want to find what you’re passionate about, write down your hobbies, what you love reading about, or what you find yourself searching on Google all the time.

2. BE UNIQUE

There are thousands, if not millions, of blogs out there, so what will make yours unique and different from the rest? Your content, whether it be your images, graphics, or your writing style, needs to be a representation of you. This is also how your audience will get to know you and love you!

What makes my blog totally unique (well at least I like to think so) is that I like to tell MY story of what I ate, where I explored and what I love about South Africa. This also means that I only ever use MY photos in a blog post. It is MY photos that tell MY story. I’m sure you get the point, but to make it more clear, you will never find a copy and paste article or photos from another source. You will find genuine stories/articles/posts written by ME and only ME!

So if your strength is photography or funny writing skills, use this to your advantage and this is what will make your blog unique!

3. CONSISTENCY

Once you have figured out what you are passionate about, stick with that. This means you can’t be all over the place. If you’re not completely sure about your blogs overall theme, then you can be sure your readers wont either.

For me, I wanted to keep my blog a food, travel and lifestyle blog. This means that because I cover a diverse range of topics I am able to still do a beauty review or a fashion post here and there because this fits under lifestyle. But if you’re going to blog just on food or just on travel, be careful when you do that fashion post, because your readers may think WTF!

4. PLAN YOUR CONTENT AHEAD

Blogging is a lot of work, I will admit. It also takes a lot of time to put a post together. From taking the photos, to doing research, then writing your story and putting everything together into one concise blog post. This means that you have to prepare ahead by planning out the content you are going to create.

I like to think of my blog as a magazine. I am the editor, the photographer, the copywriter and everything in between because it is MY magazine. That means that as a blogger, I’m an all rounder and need to obviously prepare and plan like a magazine editor would of a magazine … (Am I making sense here?)

Let’s not forget social media, but we’ll cover all of this in another post.

5. RESEARCH

Before you start a blog, do all the necessary research. Find blogs you love and admire and ask yourself what is it that you love? Is it the photography or the writing style? For example, before I started my blog, I was always reading food and travel magazines. The articles that I loved most was about new restaurants on the block, where to eat, where to travel etc – and this is what I now tend to cover on my blog, but from my point of view. I used to also always read international food and travel blogs and this is what clearly made me fall in love with blogs and want to start one of my own.

So sit down and take a moment to figure out what you love!

There you have it – 5 things to consider before you start a blog so you can figure out what you’re passionate about and find a blogging niche!

If you have any questions, please leave a comment below ♥

Let’s Talk About Coconut Oil

Loren

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02/07/2018

1

If someone were to tell you that there is one single product that serves a million and one purposes, would you believe them? Hardly! Just imagine, one single product that can be kept in your kitchen pantry AND in your bathroom cabinet … Is this really possible? Yip, it is and I am talking about coconut oil. Coconut oil is nature’s little miracle and I cannot live without it!

I use coconut oil every day on my skin, my hair and even in the kitchen. In fact, whenever someone has a beauty woe that needs a quick fix, I always recommend using this miracle oil. Now that you know how much I love this stuff, I’m going to share five ways you can use it too …

MOISTURISER

As a face and body moisturiser, coconut oil is much more hydrating than average store-bought lotions. The oil penetrates deeply into the layers of skin and actually helps to strength underlying tissues. It also helps to remove dead skin cells, remove any dry, rough or flakey patches and gives your skin a gorgeous glow.

♥ I like to use coconut oil as a moisturiser for my face focusing on dabbing a little more under my eyes and on my lips before bedtime. I also use any excess as a cuticle oil and hand cream. For my body, I like to rub all over with it just as I get out the shower. The best part about coconut oil, I find, is that a little goes a long way, so you don’t really need to use too much at a time. I also like that the oil absorbs into your skin without feeling oily or greasy.

HAIR MASK

Just as coconut oil works wonders for your skin, it also works wonders for your hair. It will give your hair a silky texture and lots of shine. It also moisturises and nourishes the hair. As well as helps a very dry itchy scalp.

♥ On days I’ll be working from home the whole day, I will heat up about 3 to 5 tablespoons of coconut oil in the microwave, so that it’s a warm liquid. Then, after it has cooled a little, I will apply it to my hair as I would any hair mask. Because I have a dry scalp, I will focus on my scalp and the tips of my hair. I leave the oil on the whole day (thankfully I won’t have meetings or seeing anyone so no one will see me in this state) and then I wash it out that evening. I find that double washing and letting it foam up a lot both times generally gets rid of the the oil. But you can do three washes if need be.

MAKEUP REMOVER

One of my favourite uses for coconut oil is it’s gentle power to remove makeup, especially stubborn mascara.

♥ At night before I wash my face, I use my finger to gently rub coconut oil downwards on my eyes and eyelashes to remove my eye makeup from the day.

COOKING OIL

Coconut oil is one of the healthiest oils you can use when cooking. This is because it is made up of medium chain triglycerides, which are metabolised more rapidly in the body compared to long chain triglycerides, meaning there’s increased fat burning potential. Many healthy oils break down into harmful compounds when heated to their smoke point. But coconut oil remands stable at high temperatures, so it is great for all round cooking!

♥ I like to use coconut oil when I make popcorn at home, for stir-frying, making chips etc.

BAKING

Coconut oil is a great substitute for butter when it comes to baking. Because it is a saturated fat, and saturated fats are the typical fat of choice when it comes to baking because of the texture. Saturated fats, like coconut oil, also plays a role in various brain and body functions – making it extra beneficial!

♥ When it comes to baking muffins, especially banana muffins and even carrot muffins, I always reach for the coconut oil instead of butter. Not only is it healthier, but I also love the subtle coconut flavour it gives the baked goods!

TIP WHEN BUYING COCONUT OIL:

Always buy unrefined, extra virgin coconut oil. This is because it goes through the least process and it the closest to its natural state.

♥

Hair Care: How I Maintain My Long (Blonde) Hair

Loren

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18/06/2018

0

I have had long hair since forever which means I don’t cut my hair more than just a regular trim when I visit my hairdresser. The only time I have ever had hair just a little longer than shoulder length was when I was in primary school. My hairdresser, that I have been going to for nearly 10 years, knows very well not to get scissor happy (like most hairdressers do). But having said that, this means I have to make sure my hair is well looked after, so my ends don’t get dry and full of split ends. This also means that I have figured out what works for my hair and what doesn’t.

So, how do I maintain my long hair? Here are 5 things I do …

1. I use good quality shampoo and conditioner

I buy my shampoo and conditioner from my hair salon. Firstly, because my hairdresser knows what my hair type is, she recommends what works best for my hair. Secondly, salon quality products are of the best quality. They hardly contain a million and one ingredients with some names being hard to pronounce. The ingredients also tend to be gentler and contain less sulphates, silicones and any of the nasty stuff that tend to do more damage than good. I found when I would use store bought brands, my hair became greasier more quickly, making me wash my hair more often than needed, which then made my hair very dry.

The products I am using now: I swear by Pureology because the range is sulfate-free with highly concentrated formulas to moisturise, volumize and protect damaged dry hair. I alternate between the purple hydrate range and the blue strength cure range. However, now that it is winter I tend to suffer with a dry itchy scalp. The only shampoo that soothes this is Eucerin’s calming urea shampoo which is just brilliant! It is available from Clicks and Dischem for about R110. After I shampoo with this I use Pureology’s strength cure conditioner.So if you’re looking to up your shampoo and conditioner game, I recommend asking your hairdresser what range of salon quality products will be best for your hair type. Using a good quality shampoo and conditioner is the first step to maintaining healthy hair! If you find that salon quality products are expensive, just think about your hair being an investment. Also know that good quality products last forever and a day! You only need to use a minimal amount at a time, making it last really long!

2. I air dry my hair

I’m quite lucky when it comes to air drying because I have naturally straight hair with a slight curl/wave to it, so because of this I like to let my hair air dry. I also find that when my hair has air dried, the texture is thicker and wavier (if that makes sense). Another thing I like to do, which I know isn’t the best way because I may catch flu (is this an old wives tale?), is I like going to bed with wet hair because when I wake up in the morning, it looks like I just had a perm – my hair is so thick and curly! Ha!

If you’re able to, try let your hair air dry. You’ll soon start falling in love with the natural state your hair dries, I promise you! I used to straighten my hair with a hair iron nearly every two days because I absolutely loved the feeling and the look of perfectly straight hair. After a while I realised how much damage was being done to the ends of my hair so I stopped! Now I only use the hair iron if I really have to (more on this below) because I actually love the natural state of my hair when it air dries!

3. I apply a hair mask once even twice a week

Hair masks put all the extra moisture, nourishment and shine back into the hair. Just as much as I love a good face mask, I also love a good hair mask. And on days when I will be working from home the whole day, I apply the hair mask in the morning. I let it soak up in my hair the whole day, until I rinse it that evening. I also do this with coconut oil. If you want to read all the benefits of coconut oil, there’ll be a blog post on this this week, but it is just the best as a hair mask. Some of my favourite hair masks include Dove’s Intensive Repair Deep Treatment Mask (R80.95 from Clicks) and Moroccanoil Intense Hydrating Mask (R475 from RetailBox).

If your hair is really dry and needs a moisture surge, I definitely recommend starting off with coconut oil masks once a week. I also recommend using an intense treatment mask (like the Dove one I mentioned above) as a conditioner until you notice your hair is getting well nourished. Often I will use a treatment mask as a conditioner and it really helps a lot!

4. I use the best quality hair tools when I really need to use them

Like I mentioned above, I always try air dry my hair. But sometimes this is not always possible, especially in winter when I don’t want to get sick, so I will blow dry my hair with my GHD Air hairdryer. If I absolutely have to, like for a special occasion or an event, then I will bring out the GHD hair straightener. I try stay as far away as I can from the hair iron though, as heat kills the hair! I’m afraid to admit it, but it really does. We can’t even touch a hot hair iron with our fingers, because it’s just so hot, so can you imagine what our poor hair goes through?

I will be doing a post soon on how I use the GHD hair straightener with tips and tricks on preventing so much heat damage, so stay tuned for that.

5. Argan oil is my hair’s best friend

The number one product I use all the time, for anything and everything, is my Moroccanoil Light. After I’ve washed my hair, I apply a pump or two through it, especially focusing on the ends. As you know Moroccanoil is made of argan oil but what I like is that it’s of the highest quality compared to other argan oils I have tried.

Some of the benefits of argan oil are:

eliminate’s dandruff and dry scalp
tames frizz and fly aways
repairs split ends
protects hair from the heat of blow dryers and flat irons
treats dry, brittle hair
gives hair a shinier, glowier look

I stay away from using too many unnecessary products on my hair. This means I don’t use a dry shampoo or hair spray or anything for that matter, except for argan oil. The reason for this is I find if there’s too much product build up, hair follicles get blocked and clogged. That’s just my opinion though but I’m no hairdresser 🙂

♥

GIVEAWAY: Win a hamper of Cadbury Dairy Milk Bubbly Chocolate + R1000 Cash

Giveaway

Loren

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14/06/2018

55

After a long day, my favourite thing to do when I get home, is have a bubble bath, get into my pyjamas, bring out my book and open up a slab of Cadbury Dairy Milk Bubbly … I don’t know why, but this makes me the happiest and the bubbliest (no pun intended) because you know how much I just love my chocolate.

Chocolate is my middle name (that’s how much).
South Africa’s much loved aerated chocolate, and one of my absolute favourites, Cadbury Dairy Milk Bubbly has a new look. It’s refreshed, vibrant new wrapper brings out the bubblified fun. The new look with a trendy colour palette definitely stands out from the rest and surely does pop out on the shelf.

Besides for the fact that Cadbury Dairy Milk Bubbly is chocolate (duh!), I love the way it melts in your mouth and creates a real melt-in-your-mouth moment with its smoothness and creaminess.

Cadbury Dairy Milk Bubbly is available in four flavours:

Original
Mint
Top Deck
Oreo

Would you like to win all four Cadbury Dairy Milk Bubbly and R1000 cash?

I have partnered up with Cadbury Dairy Milk Bubbly and we are giving one lucky Minkys reader the chance to win all four flavours AND R1000 cash. The entry requirements are really easy:

“Show us your bubbly side & #GetBubblified with Cadbury Dairy Milk Bubbly

Leave a comment below telling me how you #GetBubblified

Twitter: tweet your bubbly side by tagging #GetBubblified, @Cadbury_SA and @MinkysCoZa on twitter

OR

Facebook: share your bubbly side by tagging #GetBubblified, @CadburyDairyMilkSA and @MinkysBlog

AND

Instagram: For an extra entry, follow @Minkys.Co.Za and @Cadbury_Sa on Instagram, share a photo of how you #GetBubblified and tagging Minkys and Cadbury

So that’s all it takes to stand the chance of winning all four slabs of bubbliness and R1000 cash.

The giveaway will run until Monday 18th June where I’ll announce the winner in the morning.

Good luck and lets #GetBubblified ♥

♥

What’s on the menu at Radisson Blu Hotel Sandton’s Vivace?

Loren

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13/06/2018

1

Last week I attended the exciting relaunch of the Vivace Restaurant in the Radisson Blu Hotel Sandton. It was an afternoon filled with great company, exceptional food and delicious wine.

Before I get started on the food though, I would like to tell you more about the hotel’s 13th floor …

Radisson Blu Hotel Sandton’s 13th floor has undergone a complete refurbishment and has been transformed into a timelessly elegant space. It is definitely the perfect spot for a cup of tea or even a sundowner session because the bar area is just beautiful. I like how cozy it is now with bookshelves forming private alcoves. I know for sure, I’ll be having many a cups of coffee here, while doing work on my laptop and using one of the cozy nooks as a coffice (definition can be found here).

The hotel lobby is also on the 13th floor. So, because this is the first area guests see when they arrive, it has to be welcoming, comfortable and visually appealing. It sure is – the hotel lobby definitely ticks these three boxes.

The 13th floor is also where the hotel’s main restaurant Vivace is. This has just recently been relaunched with a new, exciting and very delicious menu. At the relaunch, we were treated to an 8 course menu where we got to sample dishes from the main menu. The food was paired with some of the most delicious Boschendal wines. Evidently the food boasted an extensive spread of local flavours using the freshest ingredients.

So this is what’s new on the menu:

• Homemade gravalax – gin cured, pickled cucumber salad, corn and spring onion sponge, horseradish mousse

Paired with: Boschendal Brut NV

• Root vegetable roulade – goat’s cheese and pistachio, fried basil and mozzarella stuffed artichoke, micro herbs, pomegranate reduction

Paired with: Boschendal 1685 Sauvignon Blanc

• Smoked venison carpaccio – pickled beetroot salsa, citrus flavoured ricotta, honey mustard dressing

Paired with: Boschendal Sommelier Selection Pinotage

• Deep fried pea, mint and mozzarella arancini – creamy tomato and jalapeño sauce

Paired with: Boschendal French Quarter Rhone White Blend

• Line fish – red pepper and olive tossed fettuccini, rocket pesto and roasted pine nuts

Paired with: Boschendal Chardonnay Pinot Noir

• Chicken, goats cheese and hazelnut roulade – saffron sweet potato mousse, burnt butter vinaigrette

Paired with: Boschendal French Quarter Rhone Red Blend

• Rib eye – potato croquette, micro herbs

Paired with: Boschendal 1685 Cabernet Sauvignon

And last but not least …

• Butternut and cinnamon swiss roll – orange puree, mint dust and caramel ice cream

Paired with: Boschendal Demi Sec NV

So these are all the items on the menu of the newly relaunched Vivace restaurant. There is definitely something for everyone with these delicious dishes!

Vivace Restaurant – Radisson Blu Hotel Sandton

To make a reservation, contact: 011 245 8000

♥

Where can we go for a hike in Johannesburg?

Loren

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11/06/2018

0

That is the question I find myself googling so often. So after having done all the necessary research, I have put together a list of the most beautiful places to go for a hike in Johannesburg, so you don’t have to drive too far out of the city.

MODDERFONTEIN RESERVE

The Modderfontein Reserve is a 275 hectare reserve making it the second-largest private park in Gauteng. The reserve has walking trails and cycling trails reaching up to 40km’s. Along the way you will find bird hides, the Modderfontein Spruit cascades, a number of dams, grassland and rolling hills. If you’re lucky you’ll maybe see mongoose, marsh owls, duiker, zebra and even the cape clawless otter as well as an abundance of bird life.
• Where: Arden Road, just off Ardeer Road, Modderfontein
• Admission: R30 for adults, R15 for kids.
• Hours: Open daily 6am to 6pm. Conservation fee R30 per adult, R15 per child

HENNOPS HIKING TRAIL

Hennops Trails is located 30km’s from Fourways on Road R511 towards Hartbeesport Dam. These trails are some of the most beautiful and well-maintained hiking trails in Gauteng. There are three routes to choose from – a short 2km walk, an easy 6km Zebra route and a lengthy and more challenging 11.3km Krokodilberg Route.

All trails begin by crossing the Hennops River either by a suspension bridge or via a fun old fashioned cable car which works by a pulley system. Sounds like fun, right? All trails feature some beautiful flora and fauna and if you’re lucky you’ll spot some zebra, blesbok, kudu and giant tree-like aloes.
• Where: off the R511 (10km south of the R105 junction), towards Hartbeesport Dam
• Admission: R60 (last entrance at 12:00)

WALTER SISULU NATIONAL BOTANICAL GARDENS

This Botanical Garden was founded in 1982 and has been a very popular venue ever since. What is also interesting, the Garden has been voted the best place to get back to nature in Gauteng for 9 years in a row. It is beautifully well-maintained and is home to a breeding pair of Verreaux’s Eagles with their nest on the cliffs alongside the waterfall. You will also find the garden is home to an abundance of wildlife with over 220 bird species, a number of reptiles, antelope and jackals.
• Where: Malcolm Road, Rooderpoort
• Admission: R40, R27 for students and pensioners,R15 for scholars.

KLIPRIVIERSBERG

Just a 10km drive from the centre of Johannesburg will bring you to this popular city escape in the south of Johannesburg. Klipriviersberg is the largest proclaimed nature reserve and boasts a diverse range of game. Such as Zebra, red hartebeest and black wildebeest. The reserve is also a bird viewing hotspot! with more than 215 bird species. The hiking trails range form 3km to 9km. There is also a mountain biking area that opens on the weekends ranging from 6km to 30km.
• Where: Entrance at Silent Pools, Frandaph Dr, Mondeor
• Admission: No entrance fee.

MELVILLE KOPPIES

Not only is Melville Koppies a nature reserve but it is also a national heritage site. As the name suggests, Melville Koppies is predominantly a ridge. It is actually the last of what remains of Johannesburg ridges to be conserved as it was before the discovery of gold in the late 1880’s. The Koppies became a nature reserve in 1959 and with the discovery of an Iron Age furnace, it became a national monument too. On Melville Koppies you will find over 200 different types of birds, a range of small mammals such as mongoose, civets, hares, hedgehogs, chameleons and tortoises.

The hikes range from between a 4km guided walk and a more a challenging 10km hike.
• Where: Cnr Judith Rd and Orange Rd, Melville
• Admission: Guided hike costs R50 and R20 for kids.

Or if hiking isn’t your thing, then take a walk around James and Ethel Gray Park

Every Sunday afternoon you’ll find us walking around this beautiful park in the heart of the city getting in our steps while breathing in the fresh air.
• Where: Melrose Street, Melrose Arch

♥

Say hello to Lindt’s new Hello Sundae Choco

Loren

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07/06/2018

0

This post is a little overdue as you’ve already probably seen Lindt’s new Hello Sundae Choco range in the shops, but I was waiting for the right moment to hit publish. I felt the right moment was in the dead of winter where we’re all shivering at our desks, craving summer sunshine and ice-cream sundae’s.

Hello Choco

Lindt have just introduced a brand new flavour to their HELLO range called Sundae Choco. It’s all about that delicious ice-cream sundae. This delicious new flavour combines only the finest, creamiest milk chocolate, with dark chocolate sauce and vanilla cream filling with almond pieces. Sounds like hot summer days, doesn’t it?

If ice-cream sundae’s aren’t your thing, the HELLO range has something for everyone. The range included cookies and cream, caramel brownie, crunchy nougat, dark chocolate cookie and strawberry cheesecake.

So, while you’re counting down the days until summer, grab yourself a slab of the new HELLO Sundae Choco.

• The new Lindt HELLO Sundae Choco is available at all major retailers for a recommended selling price of R37.95

♥

What’s new in the shops?

Loren

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06/06/2018

1

Hello and welcome to a new series on the blog called what’s new in the shops? I am going to try do a post like this once a month covering all the latest goodies I come across when I do my shopping as well as goodies that get sent to me. One of my favourite things when I go grocery shopping is to look for things with the “new” sticker on them … I don’t know why but I just love trying new things and if you’re reading this blog you probably do too.

seltzer essence sparkling flavoured drink

There’s a new flavoured water by Seltzer on the market which is something rather different but delicious. It’s described as a sparkling flavoured drink, but for me, it’s more like a spritzer as the flavouring is very subtle. Don’t get me wrong though, I much prefer this to over sweetened flavoured waters that feel you leaving thirstier than before. I like that this is refreshing, subtly flavoured and you’re still getting in your water. These waters are sugar free and are made with only natural flavours, which is always a win! This water comes in three flavours: watermelon and mixed berry, pink grapefruit and strawberry and green apple and mint. The green apple and mint is my favourite!

• Price: between R7.99 and R9.99
• From: Spars, Pick n Pays and petrol station shops around the country

banana bread rusks

The best part about winter is waking up to a hot cup of coffee and rusks! It is my favourite thing, without a doubt! The other day I was walking around Woolworths when I came across these banana bread rusks and without exaggerating, my excitement levels went into overdrive. I absolutely love a slice of banana bread with butter and a cup of tea in the afternoon, so these rusks have become a staple when it comes to my afternoon tea time treat.

• Price: between R39.99
• From: Woolworths

750ml wine glass

Can you imagine decanting an entire wine bottle into one wine glass? Nope, I can’t imagine either. But guess what? It’s possible! I spotted these 750ml wine glasses at Typo and although I was tempted to buy myself one, I didn’t. I am still in two minds though whether I should go back and get it … Should I?

• Price: R200
• From: Typo

yum yum go! smooth peanut butter

I love peanut butter so much that I can eat it straight off the spoon. Yum Yum have now brought out a single serving on-the-go peanut butter sachet which makes for the perfect snack! I wish I was still in school so I could keep these in my lunch box. Instead I am keeping them in my drawer in my desk (don’t tell anyone!)

• Price: about R30 for a box of 18 sachets
• From: most supermarkets

danone yo-jelly

When that afternoon craving hits and all I want is something sweet but at the same time something healthy, I now reach for a tub of the new Yo-Jelly by Danone. This is a yoghurt and jelly snack in one and it is rather yummy. I’ve always been a fan of jelly and custard, and to some degree this is just as good! I know they were made with kids in mind, but I am still a kid at heart and love them. My favourite flavour is definitely banana!

• Price: R13.99
• From: most supermarkets

♥

Blogging Tips

Blogging Tips

Loren

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21/05/2018

3

I have been blogging for just over five years now. So in this time I have definitely learnt my fair share. My blog was first a beauty blog where I (tried to!) share all beauty related posts. After a while I realised writing on just beauty alone wasn’t enough because I wanted to write more! So then I started sharing simple recipes. My first recipe was for homemade macaroni and cheese and I remember using the most hideous photos where you could see all the dirty dishes in the sink. LOL!

We all have to start somewhere and five years later I have definitely come a long way. I now post on a diverse range of topics, with travel and food being my two favourites, because I like to keep things interesting. I also make sure my photography is a lot more professional now. Who wants to see dirty dishes in the background!

Five years later, I can definitely say I have learnt a lot when it comes to blogging. From where to start, SEO, social media, how to work with brands and even, since I am an attorney, the legal side of blogging. I am going to be sharing this all with you in regular blog posts. I cannot wait to publish the first post in this new series all about how to start a blog.

Blogging is a lot of fun but don’t think its all just fun and games because it takes a lot of hard work and perseverance to maintain a blog. When I say blogging is a lot of fun, it’s because I love the whole process of it. I love thinking of new blog post ideas, I love taking my photos and I absolutely love putting it all together into one beautiful blog post. I like to think of my blog as a magazine but from a more personal view because I like to tell MY story.

When you start a blog you have to do it for all the right reasons. You have to love taking photos, writing and sitting on the computer for long hours at a time. Ha! You also have to love social media. I find that blogging and social media go hand in hand and the former cannot survive without the latter. You cannot start a blog thinking it’s the easy way to getting all the free things! If this is what you’re thinking, you’ve got it all wrong, so just stop!

So, if you have any questions, leave them in the comments below and I will definitely cover them all in this new series!

♥

PS: Desk pad and 2018 diary are both from MACAROON

What we ate at Chefs in Cape Town

Loren

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18/05/2018

0

When I was in Cape Town in January of this year, for my 30th birthday, at the top of my to-do list, amongst other exciting things, was to eat at Chefs. After seeing all the absolutely delicious photos on social media and the hype around this restaurant, I was dying to visit!

ABOUT CHEFS

Chefs restaurant is situated at 82 Johns Street in Cape Town. The restaurant is all about a simplified dining experience with an upmarket canteen feel. The kitchen is open plan which allows diners to experience the hustle and bustle. Chef Jenny Ward runs the kitchen and ensures the dishes are of the highest standard! She graduated Cum Laude from the Institute of Culinary Arts before working locally and abroad to gain experience.

All the magic (in the kitchen) happens in the wood fire oven – from the breads, to the desserts, and even the main dishes. The food is full of flavour, and because it is wood fired, the dishes have a unique depth and taste. Each day the menu changes and there is a choice of three dishes to choose from. On arrival, you’re given an iPad to make your selection from, you tap your order on the screen, then you take a seat and relax until your food comes on a tray. There are no printed menus which is what makes the whole dining experience a new experience!

WHAT WE ATE

As we walked into Chefs, the bright light from the very large windows and the minimalist interior drew us in. I knew from the moment we stepped inside we were in for an absolutely culinary treat.

The foodie I am had already browsed the menu of the day online. So I knew exactly what I was going to order. On the menu that day there was beef carpaccio (for a light option), soy and lime chicken (as a main option) and an Israeli salad with Halloumi (as a vegetarian option). We wanted to try everything. Luckily we all for sharing and ordered the beef carpaccio to share as a starter and the soy and lime chicken as mains.

The beef carpaccio was served with a side salad, crisps and melba toast. Everything on this tray was prepared to perfection and was absolutely delicious. The soy and lime chicken was served with a fresh Asian slaw on the side, twice fried chips and mayonnaise. It was also absolute perfection and the flavours were amazing!

Unfortunately we didn’t have space for the dessert that day.

I absolutely love the whole concept of Chefs. How a simple dining experience with absolutely tasty wholesome food can be an absolute foodies delight. I cannot wait to return to Chefs when I am back in Cape Town!

The restaurant is open from 12 – 3pm for lunch and 5:30pm – 8:30pm for dinner, Monday to Friday.

To book or view the menu, visit www.chefscapetown.co.za

♥

MINKYS

Minkys

Minkys

FRIEND REQUEST (By Laura Marshall)

LITTLE FIRES EVERYWHERE (BY Celeste Ng)

1. The Wildlife

2. The Climate

3. The Sunrises and Sunsets

4. The Perfect Place to Destress

5. The Affordability

1. FIND YOUR PASSION

2. BE UNIQUE

3. CONSISTENCY

4. PLAN YOUR CONTENT AHEAD

5. RESEARCH

There you have it – 5 things to consider before you start a blog so you can figure out what you’re passionate about and find a blogging niche!

MOISTURISER

HAIR MASK

MAKEUP REMOVER

COOKING OIL

BAKING

TIP WHEN BUYING COCONUT OIL:

So, how do I maintain my long hair? Here are 5 things I do …

1. I use good quality shampoo and conditioner

2. I air dry my hair

3. I apply a hair mask once even twice a week

4. I use the best quality hair tools when I really need to use them

5. Argan oil is my hair’s best friend

Some of the benefits of argan oil are:

Would you like to win all four Cadbury Dairy Milk Bubbly and R1000 cash?

So that’s all it takes to stand the chance of winning all four slabs of bubbliness and R1000 cash.

Before I get started on the food though, I would like to tell you more about the hotel’s 13th floor …

So this is what’s new on the menu:

And last but not least …

MODDERFONTEIN RESERVE

HENNOPS HIKING TRAIL

WALTER SISULU NATIONAL BOTANICAL GARDENS

KLIPRIVIERSBERG

MELVILLE KOPPIES

Or if hiking isn’t your thing, then take a walk around James and Ethel Gray Park

Hello Choco

seltzer essence sparkling flavoured drink

banana bread rusks

750ml wine glass

yum yum go! smooth peanut butter

danone yo-jelly

ABOUT CHEFS

WHAT WE ATE

MINKYS