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10 Things To Do in Cape Town

Loren

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02/03/2016

Cape Town, I don’t like you. I simply love you. Why? Because everywhere I turn there is something more beautiful to do or see. Here is a list of 10 of my absolute favourite things to do in and around Cape Town that will make you also not just like Cape Town, but LOVE the beautiful mother city, just as much as me, if not more.

1. STRAWBERRY PICKING

The strawberry picking season is from October to January, and with a few different strawberry farms to choose from closer to Stellenbosch, they all offer a chance to pick the juiciest, ripest, most fruitful strawberries. What’s better than a punnet of the freshest of fresh strawberries? Nothing. Unless they dipped in chocolate sauce. But we’ll go into that another day. This photo was taken at Mooiberg Farm.

We often go to Mooiberg Farm, which is between Stellenbosch and Somerset West on the R442.

2. LUNCH AT THE SPICE ROUTE

The Spice Route can be described as a little village in Paarl that offers a smorgasbord of things to eat, do and see. From beer to wine, chocolates to cheese, gourmet food to a simple pizza, my culinary cravings are always met when I visit. This photo was taken while having lunch at La Grapperia. The view is absolutely breathtakingly.

3. DRIVE CHAPMANS PEAK

The view, the view, the view! On your one side you have the majestic Constantia Berg mountains and on the other side you have the vast Atlantic Ocean. Driving this 9 kilometre stretch makes you feel like you’re in a movie. No jokes. Well it makes me feel like I’m in a movie. This photo was taken at the second view spot (if you’re driving from Hout Bay) which overlooks the whole of Hout Bay Harbour.

4. KALK BAY

When you think of Cape Town, you think of fresh fish and chips made the proper way, don’t you? Kalky’s in Kalk Bay has the best fish and chips in all of Cape Town, in my honest opinion. They also have the best setting to eat your fresh fish and chips. Not only do you have a view of these fishing boats, you will also hear the locals selling their daily catch and there’s normally a resident seal in the harbour putting on a show. We venture out to Kalk Bay as often as we can to have this treat, as well as to soak in the ambience and beauty of this fishing village.

5. DARLING FOR WINE

About an hours drive from Cape Town and you find yourself in the Darling Wine Route. The wine from this region is distinct in that Darling is in close proximity to the Atlantic Ocean, and with the elevation of the vineyards, there is a significant effect on the grapes grown in Darling. I bet you didn’t know that fact. But now you know 🙂 I often find that I’m reaching more for wine from Darling. My favourites are this Sauvignon Blanc from Groote Post as well as the Sauvignon Blanc and Chenin Blanc from Darling Cellars.

6. MUIZENBERG

Muizenberg is my favourite beach to swim at in Cape Town. The water is a lot warmer and calmer (I hate being dunked!). These little colourful houses on the beach also make for a wonderful photo too, don’t they?

7. WALK FROM CAMPS BAY TO SEA POINT

The only way to see a place is if you go for walks, as walking lets you see so much more a place has to offer. One of our favourite walks, which we tend to do as often as we can in Cape Town, is the walk from Camps Bay to Sea Point, or Sea Point to Camps Bay if you must 🙂 The walk takes you through Bantry Bay and Clifton. You will see homes that you’ll recognise from Top Billing, bungalows on the beach and breathtaking views of the sea (like this picture I took on one of my walks).

8. HAVE AN OLD FASHIONED FLAKE ’99

A flake ’99 is an ice cream cone with soft serve and a flake and its the best thing we all had in our youth, isn’t it? When you finally reach Sea Point and you walk a little further to the public pools, you will find a little ice cream stand selling soft serve ice cream. Do yourself a favour and get a flake ’99, sit on one of the benches overlooking the sea and listen to the sea gulls. You will be time warped back to your youth 🙂

9. CHERRY PICKING IN CERES

The season for cherry picking is from the last week of November to the first week of January. We visited the Klondyke Cherry Farm in Ceres during this time and picked so many cherries that we didn’t want to see another cherry again! You walk through hundreds of cherry orchards and pick as many cherries as you can while nibbling on a few here and there. It really makes for a great experience

10. WATCH A SUNSET

Lastly, grab a botte of wine and head out to watch the sunset. My 3 favourite spots to watch the sunset in Cape Town are:

♥ Camps Bay;

♥ The Promenade in Sea Point;

♥ Chapmans Peak overlooking Hout Bay Harbour.

And now you can see why I don’t like Cape Town 😉
I also don’t like the fact that you can drive to Paternoster for the best crayfish, ever!

♥

P.S. Every image in this post was taken by me on my visits to Cape Town. If you would like to make use of an image please email me on info@minkys.co.za

Cozy Kitchen Shopping Guide

Shopping Guide

Loren

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25/02/2016

4

1. Le Creuset Cereal Bowls 2. Cake Stand – @home 3. Smeg Kettle – Yuppiechef 4. Kitchenaid Blender – Yuppiechef 5. Canisters – Mr Price Home 6. Cake Pop Baking Tray – Yuppiechef 7. wine glasses – Yuppiechef 8. Smeg Toaster – Yuppiechef 9. glass jar – Consol Glass 10. Enamel Espresso Mug – @home

♥

Hair Care: Philip Kingsley Elasticizer + Giveaway

Loren

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24/02/2016

53

Philip Kingsley Elasticizer was featured in my current beauty favourites post, and here is why …

Picture this: hair like Audrey Hepburn. Imagine if it was that easy to get beautiful hair like hers! Well it is, and here is how …

Philip Kingsley is a British trichologist – definition: someone who specialises in hair and scalp care. He created the Elasticizer to help restore Audrey’s hair to the state it was in before all the colouring and styling done on the movie sets.

The Elasticizer is a pre-shampoo conditioning treatment. This means that before you shampoo and condition your hair, you apply this treatment to damp hair and leave it on for 20 minutes or more and then only do you shampoo and condition.

The Elasticizer is enriched with elastin, which means it makes your hair more resilient and stronger. If you still don’t know what that means, here’s a description – every time you blow-dry your hair, hair iron your hair or even pull it up into a ponytail, instead of breaking and snapping, it will stretch. It also contains natural castor oil, olive oil, glycerine and silicones. Together all of these ingredients lock in moisture for bounce and shine, and smoothe the hair.

TIP: I like to use Elasticizer as an overnight treatment – so I apply it at night, sleep with it on and wash my hair as normal in the morning.

I have long blonde hair and this treatment is honestly A-M-A-Z-I-N-G! I I bought it in December last year and apply it once or twice a week. I have used many treatments and hair masks in my day and nothing can compare to this one, seriously! I have also found that the treatment is super rich, so a little goes a long way. Although the price is steep (R850 for 150 ml) you are paying for quality.

Now for the exciting part – after reading all of this do you want to win yourself one worth R850?

GIVEAWAY [CLOSED!]

All you have to do is the following:

Instagram: Follow me on Instagram, repost this image, tag me in it (@MissLorenCohen) and use #MinkysBlogGiveaway;
Twitter: Follow me on Twitter, retweet this image, tag me in (@MinkysBlog) and use #MinkysBlogGiveaway;
Facebook: Like Minkys Facebook Page and share the giveaway with all of your Facebook friends;
Leave a comment below telling me which Social Media platform you have used as well as your handle.

You can use all Social Media platforms for extra entries, or just one of them but PLEASE COMMENT BELOW!

This giveaway is only open to South Africa.

The giveaway will end on ~~Wednesday 9 March 2016~~ Sunday 13 March at midnight. A winner will be randomly selected the following day and I will announce the winner on Minkys Facebook Page.

♥

Five Favourite Things

Five Things

Loren

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22/02/2016

12

A 2016 planner, bright coloured nails, a love struck emoji pillow, beautiful roses and a breakfast I could have every day of my life, are Five Things I am loving lately.

It’s weird how motivating, inspiring and rather encouraging a cute, cozy and pretty planner can be. All I want to do is decorate each page with washi tape, make to-do lists by the gazillions and tick each item off one by one. Now that is how this planner has made me – #OverAchiever!

With summer still here in full swing, I am still opting for bright coloured nails. Bright coloured nails are the happiest nails, in my opinion. I’m currently sporting Pacific Sunset by Gelish.

The best Valanetine’s Day gift I received from le bf this year is this love struck emoji pillow. It is so cute! I also got the poo emoji pillow, but let’s act like I didn’t, ha!

These beautiful roses made up for the poo emoji pillow.

If there is one thing I can live off for the rest of my life (besides for spaghetti) it will be this breakfast from Tasha’s, which is called the Citrus Sunrise. So basically it is honey flavoured yoghurt, with rose flavoured granola, pieces of citrus fruit, banana and pistachio nuts. The whole combination together is a melt in your mouth experience that has you craving more and more and more and more.

♥

What’s In My Makeup Bag?

Beauty

Loren

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19/02/2016

10

I have a confession to make – I like to see what is inside peoples homes, like in their kitchen and in their bathrooms. To take this a bit further I admit I also like to see what is inside peoples makeup bags and handbags. And I’m sure you do too. So to make it easier for you, here is a snoop into my makeup bag without you having to ask. Some of the products mentioned below are oldies but are absolute goodies while others found their way into my makeup bag someway or another. You will notice how most products are for my lips. Yes, I do collect lipsticks, lip balms, lip ices etc.

♥ A pink mirror – what is a makeup bag without a cute little mirror? I bought this one from Dischem last year. Pink, of course.

♥ Even though I try a new mascara every so often (like this one), Maybelline Great Lash Mascara is my go-to mascara, always. I try and like a new mascara but nothing compares to this one. I have been using it for years now and will be using it for many more to come. It lengthens the lashes, gives them so much volume and yet your lashes don’t look clumpy and too thick. I often get asked if I am wearing false eyelashes, and I always say maybe I’m born with it, maybe its Maybelline. Haha, yip, its the mascara.

♥ I always carry a MAC lipstick or two with me. I like to keep a nude or light pink shade for everyday, then maybe a more extravagant shade in case there’s a sudden special occasion. The shade currently in my makeup bag is Please Me, which is a light pink with a bit of shimmer in it. It is so pretty.

♥ Often I’ll reach for my Revlon ColorStay in my favourite shade which is It Girl. Its a sheer, subtle shade and it is perfect for a little bit of colour on the lips.

♥ The Essence Long Lasting Eye Liner magically appeared in my makeup bag, and I’m glad it did, as I like to keep it nearby in case I need to do a touch up or a fresh application.

♥ Maybelline Baby Lips are for those days when I don’t feel like putting too much effort into my look but I still want a bit of colour on my lips. I love the Dr Rescue range with the subtle menthol which makes my lips feel tingly and moisturised.

♥ L’Occitance Shea Butter Hand Cream is the crème de la crème of hand creams (no pun intended). I love the scent of it, how soft it makes your hands and the packaging. I have used this hand cream for years and will continue to use it for a long time.

♥ DCT is the business of lip ices, because it works and it contains SPF 20, which is always a winner.

♥ EOS is still a firm favourite. I don’t know if its the ball shape packaging that fascinates me, or the way the little ball shape opens. Small things amuse small minds.

♥ I love the feel and the mousse like formula of the Maybelline Dream Bouncy Blush. I also like that it gives the skin a fresh healthy flush thats not over the top.

♥ I also keep a small bottle of perfume in my makeup bag. And this one is Neroli & Orchidee by L’Occitane.

♥ I use Essence Mosaic Compact Powder for a perfect sun kissed glow as its the perfect bronzer, that isn’t too much and isn’t too shimmery.

So that is a snoop into my makeup bag but it changes all of the time, as it should.

♥

P.S. If you would like to confess also, leave a comment below telling me if you would like to see what’s in my handbag, in my kitchen and in my bathroom 😉

Breakfast Smoothie: Berry Delicious

Loren

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17/02/2016

6

Breakfast is always a challenge and I have always made sure I have something, even if its something very small. In the good old days, I would have 2 rusks with my coffee. I then progressed to toast with peanut butter. But on days where I had no time for anything, I’d grab a sugar ladened granola bar and eat it in the car. Now that I’m trying to be more mindful with my eating, I’m trying to make healthier and more nutritional choices. If I’m not having creamy jungle oats, or banana granola with yoghurt, then I’ll be whizzing up a quick and easy smoothie in my nutribullet.

The nutribullet is my most prized possession in the kitchen and I will not exchange it for anything in the world. Not even for a million rand. Maybe two million rand, but I’d have to think about it. It is so easy to use and so easy to clean, and this is why I love it. I try have a smoothie everyday and try incorporate either spinach or kale, a superfood or two and a lot of fresh fruit. This whole combination ensures you are getting your daily intake of the healthiest goodies you can possibly put into your body.

The other morning, in a slight rush to be on my way, I quickly made myself the most delicious and fulfilling breakfast smoothie and drank it in the car. It kept me full for so long and knowing how healthy it was, I didn’t feel so guilty having a slice of (carrot) cake that day too.

INGREDIENTS & METHOD

1 cup of oats

handful of spinach

1/2 tbsp chia seeds

10 or so grapes

12 or so raspberries

handful of blueberries

few pieces of pineapple

1 banana

handful of ice

Add all the ingredients to your nutribullet or blender and whizz for about 30 seconds. You can add more or less of any ingredient and you can add whatever else you would like. Drink straight out of the nutribullet cup or pour into a fancy jug 🙂

DID YOU KNOW?

Oats contains a lot of dietary fibre, helps to stabilise blood sugar and lowers cholesterol levels.

Chia seeds is a superfood, which means it is a nutrient-rich food considered to be especially beneficial for health and well-being. They deliver a massive amount of nutrients with very few calories, they are loaded with antioxidants, and almost all of the carbs in them are fibre. They are high in protein and omega-3 fatty acids.

Grapes contain fibre, protein and are high in antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. They also help flush out toxins from your body as they are so high in water.

Raspberries are an excellent source of vitamin C, are a good source of fibre and help control blood sugar levels.

Blueberries top the list of superfoods as they are rich in vitamins C and K, fibre and contain the highest amount of antioxidants.

Pineapple contains high amounts of vitamin C, manganese, dietary fibre and an enzyme called bromelian, which helps digest proteins.

Spinach is an important vegetable for hair growth because it is high in protein and vitamin A and vitamin C, which the body uses to produce oils in the scalp which will help increase hair growth. Spinach is also high in phosphorus and potassium.

So if this is not the best, most healthiest, vitamin packed, superfood rich breakfast, I don’t know what is 🙂 And, if you are looking for an easy quick breakfast, throw all of these things into a blender and it will be ready in no time.

♥

A Craving for Chinese Food: PRON

Loren

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15/02/2016

4

I get weird cravings. Like once I craved a slice of Turkish Delight Cake. Where on earth do you find such a cake? Well I did, and you can read about that here. Now I’ve been craving real Chinese food where it feels like I could be eating in a cafe in the heart of China*. There’s a little restaurant in Linden, Johannesburg, that gives off these vibes. And its called PRON – People’s Republic of Noodles. It might not be as noisy outside as if you were really in China, but the atmosphere inside and the food makes you feel like you’re close to it.

Emma Chen opened up PRON with the idea of serving foods she grew up with in North China. So that means you won’t find vegetable spring rolls, chicken cashew or egg fried rice on the menu. To put it gently, thats all we know from a Chinese restaurant, isn’t it? Instead you will find pig’s ear salad, szechuan chilli chicken, cucumber and tofu salad, and dan dan noodles with pork mince. Not quite what we used to, right? But it’s definitely worth trying, enjoying, craving, and going back for more. And that’s what happened to me. I tried PRON last year for the first time, enjoyed several dishes and went back for them again. And they are as follows …

♦ DRY FRIED GREEN BEANS

♦ TOFU AND CUCUMBER SALAD

♦ HAND-BREAK-BREAD

♦ BEEF SOUP NOODLES

The hand-break-bread is a homemade, layered, flaky flatbread filled with fresh spring onion and salt. It is honestly so good. All the noodle dishes are made with homemade noodles too. And everything is made in the open plan kitchen, so the customers can get a real feel for what happens in the kitchen.

So now when my craving for Chinese food strikes, hello PRON!

♥

*I have been to Hong Kong, 3 times, and to Guangzhou, once, and its this exact cafe vibe.

Sunrise in the Seychelles

Loren

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05/02/2016

8

You get two types of people. Those who will sacrifice a bit of sleep and wake up in time to watch the sunrise. And those who don’t. I fit under the first category of people. Wherever I am on holiday, I wake up to watch the sunrise. Well most mornings of my holiday. A sunrise is the most beautiful thing to watch. It reminds you to be lucky you alive; it sets the tone for a beautiful, glorious day ahead and you’ve just witnessed how amazingly breathtaking nature and earth can be. All of this while the second category of people are sleeping. When we were booking our Seychelles trip, the travel agent told us that the hotel we would be staying at is on the east side of Mahe Island offering the most beautiful sunrises. While most people wouldn’t dare give up their morning lie-in, I set my alarm for just in time, and woke up early enough to watch some of the most spectacular sunrises …

Can you get anything more beautiful? Yes, a sunset! If you’re not doing so already, follow me on Instagram to see more breathtakingly sunsets (and sunrises).

♥

Current Beauty Favourites

Loren

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01/02/2016

10

I haven’t done a beauty post in a while, so I thought I would share a few of my current beauty favourites that I’ve been loving lately. Once I find a beauty favourite, I swear by that product and find it rather difficult to veer away from it. These products mentioned in this post I have been obsessed with and heres why …

Continue

28 Things for my 28th Birthday

Lifestyle

Loren

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28/01/2016

6

Is there anything significant about turning 28? Besides for the fact that I’m a mere two years away from the big 3-0, I’m also officially in my late 20’s. Since I’m not thaaaaat excited about my birthday tomorrow, 29 January (when I wake up tomorrow, I know I will be very excited!), I thought I’d compile a list of things that DO excite me and I wish to get in my 28th year of existence 🙂 The list includes things that are realistic, in my dreams as well as a bit of a (travel) bucket list for 2016 …

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Five Favourite Things

Loren

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18/01/2016

2

What is better than ice cream made from only natural ingredients sourced from local farms in the area? Nothing. And thats why, when I’m in Cape Town, I make sure I frequent The Creamery religiously, because when I’m back home in Johannesburg there is absolutely nothing that compares. From flavours like Sweet Cream, to Cookie Dough and Toasted Coconut, each is more delicious than the other. When I put this image below on my my Instagram showing off my peanut butter ice cream on a cone (which I happened to have for breakfast one morning) I thought nothing of it. A few days later I got a message from the cool peeps at The Creamery telling me they putting this image up on the board at their Newlands Cafe and in return they giving me a voucher. I was so darn excited that my love for this ice cream and my photography skills were being recognised.

When your nail polish matches the wall.

Leopard print plus pink equals happiness.

Current breakfast obsession: juices and smoothies in my Nutribullet*

Tropical Island attire from River Island.

Favourite summer scent: Snow Fairy Shower Gel from Lush

♥

*P.S. If you follow me on Snapchat (username: misslorencohen) you’ll have noticed every morning I’ve been making deeeeelicious juices. In the image above I used spinach, banana, apple, pineapple and coconut water. Making these juices has become a religious habit every morning, so catch me on the snap.

Highlights of 2015

Lifestyle

Loren

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04/01/2016

4

2015 flew by! I remember welcoming in 2015 on the top of a building in Plettenberg Bay and watching the fireworks and sipping on champagne. That felt like 5 minutes ago. Now its already the first Monday of 2016, and before we know it, it will be December again. Not that I’m pushing time away, but time is just speeding by and we have to take moments in our lives to stop and appreciate everything that happens. 2015 saw me sit behind a desk and complete my year of articles to become something I’ve always wanted to become – you can read more about it here. When you’re stuck in an office behind a computer, you sometimes forget to get out, get fresh air, see the light and savour the happy moments. And that’s what happened to me. So on that note, when I look back, 2015 was a great year for me, and here’s why …

I travelled to some wonderful destinations …

1. We took our annual trip to the Kruger National Park;

2. I spent my birthday weekend in Sun City;

3. We meandered through the little Midlands town of Nottingham Road;

4. I hiked (!) up the Drakensburg Mountains.

Continue

MINKYS

Minkys

Minkys

The Pretty Town of Plettenberg Bay

South Africa: A World in One Country

Breakfast at The Saxon Hotel in Johannesburg

21 Things To Do In Cape Town This Summer

10 Things To Do in Cape Town

1. STRAWBERRY PICKING

2. LUNCH AT THE SPICE ROUTE

3. DRIVE CHAPMANS PEAK

4. KALK BAY

5. DARLING FOR WINE

6. MUIZENBERG

7. WALK FROM CAMPS BAY TO SEA POINT

8. HAVE AN OLD FASHIONED FLAKE ’99

9. CHERRY PICKING IN CERES

10. WATCH A SUNSET

Cozy Kitchen Shopping Guide

Hair Care: Philip Kingsley Elasticizer + Giveaway

GIVEAWAY [CLOSED!]

Five Favourite Things

What’s In My Makeup Bag?

Breakfast Smoothie: Berry Delicious

INGREDIENTS & METHOD

DID YOU KNOW?

A Craving for Chinese Food: PRON

♦ DRY FRIED GREEN BEANS

♦ TOFU AND CUCUMBER SALAD

♦ HAND-BREAK-BREAD

♦ BEEF SOUP NOODLES

Sunrise in the Seychelles

Current Beauty Favourites

28 Things for my 28th Birthday

Five Favourite Things

Highlights of 2015

I travelled to some wonderful destinations …

MINKYS