Last week was one of the busiest of the year as I was in KZN from Wednesday covering the Loeries. We also celebrated our 12th anniversary with high tea at the Oyster Box before heading home on Tuesday this week. It’s a bumper edition packed with pics so get that scrolling finger ready…
Wednesday, 21 August 2019: Slow Lounge CT, Spur meal in KZN
Slow lounging, Cape Town! The top pic of macarons and the Mango plane are from Husband’s trip to join me once the Loeries were over on Sunday, the bottom two on the left were my snaps from my Wednesday morning flight.Durban, check! Following a morning flight, I landed in the KZN heat with my colleague Angie. See the view from out hotel room at the Garden Court South Beach, as well as my strawberry milkshake and cheddamelt schnitzel special in the Spur downstairs, to start our stay on the right note.
Thursday, 22 August 2019: Loeries Masterclasses at the Durban ICC
Keeping it classy at the Masterclasses! Our Loeries fun always starts with the morning and afternoon masterclasses held at the Durban ICC. Click here to read my overview of the Game/Dion Wired ‘What do CMOs really want’ morning masterclass and here for my overview of the UN Women-Dove afternoon masterclass.
Friday, 23 August 2019: DStv Seminar of Creativity, first Loeries award night
Some of my Friday highlights included the view from our hotel room, on the 15th floor of the hotel, as well as Manuel Borde’s presentation at the Loeries’ DStv Seminar of Creativity, and bumping into Loeries CEO Andrew Human. Click here to read my overview of Borde’s presentation in full, here for more on Africans being creative sharks and here for more on checking stereotypes in the industry.Scenes from the Friday night Loeries ceremony, as well as the cheddamelt schnitzel meal we shared on Saturday, with a Bar-One shake each.
Saturday, 24 August 2019: Annual Brand SA brunch, second Loeries award night
Saturday started off with the annual Brand South Africa brunch at California Dreaming. See my strong cappuccino and the pool outside our hotel room.Looking windswept but happy at the Brand SA brunch at California Dreaming.A few social pics from the Brand SA brunch, networking with the industry before the second awards night…Red carpeting! See our outfits from Friday night at the Loeries at the Durban ICC in the top row and Saturday night on the bottom row.
Sunday, 25 August 2019: 12th wedding anniversary at the Oyster Box Hotel
Thank you, Oyster Box! Having seen off Angie and welcomed Husband at the airport, we were shuttled to the Oyster Box Hotel, where stayed in the King Willow Suite and walked in to find a special anniversary balloon and plate of sweet treats to celebrate.Hello, Oyster Box! See duckies on the lawn, us as snapped in the lift, the below-ground private dining area and Skabenga saying ‘hi’.Some of the lovely Oyster Box scenery, from the spiral staircase to the movie theatre.Our B Harmonised massage in the Spa at the Oyster Box is one of the best I’ve had, as it didn’t leave me feeling sore and knotted the next day. See Husband relaxing in the indoor jacuzzi as well as my flute of fizz, the hammam steam room and a private ‘relax space’ for two. All the words are coming to my full review on Bizcommunity soon…In my happy place, having a coffee and soaking up the view post-massage on the balcony of our Oyster Box Hotel suite.We strolled along the Umhlanga Promenade to take in that golden stretch of sand.Happy anniversary to us! We were delighted to find a table at La Spiagga a little further down the main promenade that night. See my Kahlua coffee shake, Husband’s glass of red, and the gnocchi piccante we wolfed down.Oyster Box bliss! See the main pool all lit up at night, and view of the ‘hidden’ pool’ outside the Spa.
Monday, 26 August 2019: High tea at the Oyster Box Hotel
Our first-morning pickings from the Oyster Box Hotel’s breakfast buffet featured oysters and salmon for him, as well as bircher muesli, chocolate milk and a waffle with all the toppings for me.The CL2 cocktail (coconut milk, lavender and litchi) with stunning striped sea and sky beyond, as well as iconic red-and-white lighthouse and Oyster Box Hotel striped pool umbrellas. Love!High tea is served! See some of the tea options, as well as stacks of savouries for those with a little less of a sweet tooth than me.See blue macarons, our reserved table and some of the delicious cakes – there was even a sushi station for Husband to feast from.Husband, caught sipping tea with pinkie finger extended.Pool time! After we’d had a nap to digest some of that delicious high tea, we spent time at the main pool. It was bliss!Swimming in the main pool at sunset was pure magic.Husband ended our anniversary with a cigar and brandy in the Chukka Bar downstairs at the Oyster Box Hotel. We laughed at the ‘rules of the inn’!
Tuesday, 27 August 2019: King Shaka Slow Lounge
Oyster Box breakfast, take two. For me, a strong cappuccino, mini pastries and delicious single egg benedict. Husband ended up with a proper cooked breakfast this time, including bacon and even curry.Vehicles seen in and around the Oyster Box Hotel – the Merc top-left served as our shuttle from the airport to the hotel.Once we’d checked out of the Oyster Box Hotel (sob), we took another walk along the pier and main promenade in Umhlanga.King Shaka Slow Lounging! Once we had checked in our bags for our flight home, we made our way to the Slow Lounge in King Shaka airport. See some of the lovely snacks on offer.Home time! See us on the plane home, as well as THE view out the window and Husband’s view when he stepped into the cockpit to chat to the flight crew after we’d safely landed.
That’s all, folks! Here’s to a warm and restful week ahead. 🙂
*Disclaimer: Our meals, spa treatment and accommodation at the Oyster Box Hotel were part of our review package. All else came from our own pockets. All enjoyed equally.
Last weekend we had many foodie celebrations as we celebrated both my parents’ birthdays, as you’ll see from the pics below…
Thursday, 8 August 2019: Winter high tea at the Table Bay Hotel
We were invited to review the new winter high tea menu at the Table Bay Hotel, so ventured off to the V&A Waterfront after work was done for the day on Thursday. See lots of happy faces and lovely sights.High tea, served in style! See our flutes of bubbly and scones and savouries, all this before we visited the main buffet table!Tea is served! After sniffing away at lovely scented options I had a pot of the Pink Flamingo tea. Also see some fruity surprise treats – read all the words of my review on Bizcommunity to find out what they really are!Seal mascots and a further course of tea-time treats meant we left with even bigger smiles on our faces. Highly recommended.
Friday, 9 August 2019: Women’s Day breakfast at Wimpy
Last Friday was the Women’s Day public holiday so we made full use of the opportunity to sleep in late and brunch at Wimpy. See my Bar-One waffle with regular Wimpy coffee, as well as Husband’s streaky bacon breakfast.After a day of napping and reading, we ventured out for lupper at Colala in Table View, See Husband’s chicken kadai curry and my sweet-and-sour chicken.Sweet doglets snuggling up to their dad that evening.
Saturday, 10 August 2019: Hart Bakery breakfast, Dad’s 69th birthday lupper at Yo Eastern Fusion
Breakfast is served! We started the official weekend with breakfast at The Hart in Melkbos. See Husband’s large cappuccino and chorizo rosti, as well as my single cappuccino and single bacon benedict.We ventured out for a coffee-time treat later that afternoon, as Husband spotted a new addition on the Entertainer app: ‘Simple Bru Coffee’ in Reef Surf shop, just off Marine Circle. He had a flat white while I enjoyed the vanilla latte, both served with bite of rusk.Happy birthday to you! Saturday was Dad’s birthday, so we went for a joint early dins at Yo Eastern Fusion to celebrate. See various cocktails, happy faces and foodies.Some of the deliciousness – Mum’s Tom Yum soup, my satay chicken and chocolate spring rolls, and assorted cocktails, from left to right in the upper-right photo: Call me A Cab, Blue Hawaii, Mermaid’s Orgasm and Pina Colada.More scenes from our Saturday feast – cocktail happiness; Dad’s sweet-and-sour prawns top-right; Mum’s assorted appetizer starter of crumbed mushrooms, crunchy calamari, chicken satay and vegetable spring rolls; and Husband’s seafood fried noodles.What’s a birthday celebration without cake?! We popped in at Woolworths for this yummy white chocolate, caramel fudge cake and munched away at sunset at home.
Sunday, 11 August 2019: Breakfast at On the Rocks, Hout Bay roadtrip
We treated ourselves to breakfast at On the Rocks on Sunday. See the chandelier glowing brightly as well as Husband’s ‘Jonkershuijs’ breakfast bottom-left, full of pork belly, avo and poached egg, as well as my Hash bowl packed with potatoes, asparagus and poached eggs.The takeaway coffee hatch next to On the Rocks is also a lovely spot to explore.Winter in Table View, as personified by this scene outside the Ons Huisie parking lot.Next stop, Hout Bay! The weather was a tad chilly but just right for a road trip. I thoroughly enjoyed my slap chips with tartare sauce from Mariner’s Wharf and we walked around looking at the seals and gulls.I was still full from my slap chip session so stuck with a cappuccino while Husband sampled the seafood curry at the Mariner’s Wharf restaurant upstairs. The slogan in the window frame says, “Our windows are cleaned regularly. If dirty, curse the seagulls or blame the weather.”
Tuesday, 13 August 2019: Mum’s 65th birthday dins at Petisco’s
Happy birthday to you! Tuesday was Mum’s birthday so we celebrated at a local favourite after work – Petiscos. See my Lindt chocolate Flake shake, as well as Husband’leaning in’ for the photo bottom-left, Dad’s full chicken cafreal bottom-right, and Mum’s birthday surprise shooter with a sparkler. The whole restaurant sang to her!
That’s all, folks! Tune in for next week’s update a day later than usual, as I’ll be in Durban covering the Loeries in the usual Friday blogging slot.
Click here to recap my full Table Bay high tea review on Bizcommunity and here for the SodaStream coverage I mentioned last week. 🙂
*Disclaimer: Our high teas at the Table Bay Hotel were part of our review package. All else came from our own pockets. All enjoyed equally.
This past weekend was chilly so we spent lots of time at home with the doglets, as you’ll see from the pics below…
Friday, 19 July 2019: Rocomama’s dins
Little girl wrapped up in her blanket on the bed while watching me work from home last Friday.Husband felt for Rocomama’s for dins last Friday evening, so we headed out as soon as he got home from work. See my creme brulee shake, his very hot chicken wings, and a cute bumper sticker we spotted on our way back home.Superdogs! These two are so funny. they insist on being wrapped in blankets, then drag them on the floor behind them like superhero capes when they go explore an interesting noise elsewhere.
Saturday, 20 July 2019: Limnos brekkies, Doodles nachos and angel fish
We started our Saturday with some mall admin so stopped at Limons Bakery for a bite to eat. See my grilled ham-and-cheese croissant and Husband’s cooked breakfast – our cappuccinos were effectively free.We were a little early for our movie at GrandWest casino on Saturday afternoon so stopped at Vida e Caffe for a coffee first. See my standard cappuccino and Husband’s triple.We stopped at Doodles on the beachfront for an early dins that evening. See the sunset, as well as Husband’s glass of red wine and my plate of cheesy nachos – free as we used an Entertainer voucher.More snaps of the sunset, also see Husband’s angel fish with veggies. Yum!Such a pretty girl! Sitting in her granny’s arms, of course.
Sunday, 21 July 2019: The Daily breakfast and a mid-winter sea dip
We breakfasted at The Daily at Seaside Village on Sunday, with Husband’s parents. See my tin cup (condensed milk coffee) as well as banana-bread French toast top right, as well as Husband’s potato waffles topped with poached egg and Hollandaise sauce, a chicken-mayo sandwich with side salad for his mum, and Father-in-Law’s basic brekkie with decaf cappuccino.Travel-inspired decor at The Daily in Seaside Village.Proof we were all there.We stopped at Husband’s favourite swimming hole later that afternoon so he could have a dip in the sea. Spot him in the three pics around me.Little Miss sitting neatly tucked up in her doggie bed by the fireplace that evening.Mum’s delicious chicken parm for Sunday lupper.
That’s all, folks! Stay well and tune in for my update next week – same time, same place.
This past weekend it was Husband’s turn to tackle all the weekend work so most of our pics were snapped at home while he worked, along with a few outings, of course…
Saturday, 6 July 2019: Rocomama’s BlackStar burger
We did our Discovery Health checks at Bayside Mall first thing on Saturday so popped into Mugg & Bean as soon as we’d been given the all-clear. See our cappuccinos and corner table.To eat, Husband went for the full farmhouse option, while I had the choc-chip flapjack stack – one went home with me for afternoon tea.My Saturday afternoon in a picture: Coffee, dogs, blankets and books.Pretty girl looking concerned but actually feeling nice and snug after a weekend afternoon nap.Sweet boy dog with neck extended for full warmth in front of the fire.Husband took a break that afternoon so we all headed off to Rocomama’s together for a few fast favourites. See me and Dad with our shakes, Husband and Mum with their wine and beer, and Mum’s impressive black-bunned BlackStar chicken burger. Very tasty indeed.All the burgers and fries. Yum!
Sunday, 7 July 2019: Breakfast at The Hart, Melkbos
Husband would be working for most of Sunday so we got up early to sort some weekend admin – and to have breakfast, of course. See our table at The Hart Breadhouse and Bakery in Melkbos. I had the single bacon benedict and a cappuccino, Husband opted for a flat white, Coke Zero and the breakfast salad filled with salmon. Delicious.Sweet Bertie boy snuggled up warm in his sister’s clam shell bed.My handsome, tired boys, much later that night. Insert heart-eyes emoji.
Monday, 8 July 2019: Homemade spag-bol to ward off the winter chill
Mum rustled up enormous helpings of ‘spag bol’ for Monday dins as it was a very chilly evening.
Tuesday, 9 July 2019: Conferencing at Kantar’s #GettingMediaRight event
On Tuesday, 9 July I attended Kantar’s #GettingMediaRight info-sharing session. See me with Jupiter Drawing Room MD Michelle Beh, the delicious cappuccino, and speakers for the morning Monique Claassen and Jane Ostler. Click here for my event report-back.I was delighted when I got home from work to a doughnut treat on Tuesday evening.
Wednesday, 10 July 2019: Lunchtime lecture at Red & Yellow School
On Wednesday, I attended author Michael Smorenburg’s lunchtime lecture at Red & Yellow School. Click here for my event report-back.
That’s all, folks! See you next week – same time, same place. 🙂
I was on leave for the start of this week, recovering from the usual mid-year work stresses, so there are few more pics to scroll through below than usual, even though Husband didn’t take any time off…
Friday, 28 June 2019: Creative Mornings, burny bunny chow and pastel sunsets
I made my way to AAA School of Advertising again last Friday, as it was time for the next Creative Mornings Cape Town event. See some of the sights, and click here for my overview of the event.Pinky-purple sky, as seen from home that evening.We opted for burny bunny chows from Tandoor Palace for dins last Friday, to end the week on a spicy note.
Saturday, 29 June 2019: Cocktails and taco bowls at El Barrio
We had a spot of mall admin to sort out first thing on Saturday, so breakfasted at Bica Cafe in Bayside Mall. See our cappuccinos as well as my early bird special with scrambled eggs and Husband’s croissant with chorizo and egg.We’d not been to El Barrio in Eden on the Bay for a long time, so that’s where we had our Saturday lupper. See my coco-pina frozen margarita and his ‘little mamasita’, as well as my carnita (pork) and his ‘carne con chile’ taco bowl.Proof we were both there.
Sunday, 30 June 2019: Pork and potatoes for Sunday lupper
We met Husband’s parents for breakfast at the Pink Olive in Stark Ayres nursery last Sunday as it’s walking distance from their home – Spec had slept over at their house the night before, so he joined us. See everyone except for Husband’s dad (he was off blowing his nose when these pics were snapped). Also see my French toast with cooked banana, syrup and cream cheese, as well as our flat whites.We stopped in at MIlky Lane in Table Bay Mall for our Sunday afternoon treat. See Husband’s Crunchie whizzer and my ‘Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup & Crunchie creamy coffee’ shake. Yes, really.The cold weather has really set in, so Mum’s roast pork, potatoes and zucchini was perfect for Sunday lupper!Bertie promptly hopped in when we put Bassie’s day bed in front of the fire on Sunday evening. Such sweeties.
Monday, 1 July 2019: Roadtrip to Stellenbosch, Doodles dins
On Monday, my parents and I took a little roadtrip to Fairview in Stellenbosch. If you look closely you’ll see a squirrel in the tree, top-right.Various shots of our Monday lunch at Fairview’s Goatshed.Mmm! We had a light lunch of gammon sandwiches and cured fish platters, with lovely cappuccinos. We left with full bellies.Of course we also stopped to look at all the goats before leaving. They slowly made their way up and down their tower and stopped for a snack.The goat tower, as seen from the Goatshed restaurant.Mum stopped to smell a rose in the garden on our way out.Husband wanted an adventure when he got home that evening so we headed off to Doodles on the beachfront, just in time for sunset. Also see my caramel shake and Husband’s snail starter. For mains, we had the chicken schnitzel Monday special and pork-bangers-and-mash winter special.Such a pretty sunset over Table Mountain, as seen from Doodles.
Tuesday, 2 July 2019: Rainy day pasta at 95 at Parks, waffles at Tasha’s
After a lazy start and attending Mum’s weekly Ageless Grace seated fitness class, Tuesday afternoon was rainy and cold, perfect pasta weather. We went to 95 at Parks for some of the ‘pasta ripiena’ Mum and I had sampled at chef Giorgio Nava’s masterclass the week before. See the rainy setting and lovely breads with olive oil and balsamic vinegar to start our lunch.Our pasta bowls. All was delicious and just what we had hoped for! See my butternut-filled ravioli, Dad’s seafoody spaghettoni and Mum’s gorgonzola-nutty gnocchi. Mmm!Pasta perfection – the cappuccino was also a win.Next stop, waffles! We needed something sweet to end the meal so went to Tasha’s Waffles in Constantia for waffles and coffee. Just the way to spend a Tuesday afternoon!Everything is so bright and beautiful that we wanted to add it all to our waffles. In the end we both had a scoop of caramel ice-cream, with a Smarties-Astros mix on mine and Turkish Delight for Dad.
Wednesday, 3 July 2019: Pie, chips and gravy at Limnos Bakery
On Wednesday, my last day of leave, we popped in at Limnos Bakery in Table Bay Mall for their ‘pie, chips, gravy and cappuccino’ lunchtime special.The doggies spent much of the week wrapped in blankets and getting snuggles, as seen here.
That’s all, folks! Stay warm and dry, we’ll see you same time, same place next week. 🙂
This past week has been busy but filled with delicious moments, as you’ll see from the pics below…
Tuesday, 4 June 2019: Terroir lunch at Kleine Zalze
On Tuesday, 4 June I was invited to celebrate Kleine Zalze’s second straight win as best New World Producer. Perfect way to prep for a media roadtrip – takeaway cappuccino from Tasha’s, then onto the shuttle!This view of the submerged windwill is visual proof that you’re almost in Stellenbosch.The wintery scene that met us at Terroir in Kleine Zalze, Stellenbosch.More pre-food moments at Terroir.The bread and antipasti on arrival, as well as stuffed chicken and Picanha steak. All the words are in my overview on Bizcommunity!Delicious desserts! A selection of petit fours, cheese board platters and a cappuccino just before the rain started up again.
Thursday, 6 June: Doggy burger-bun beds and Rocomama’s dins with Gords
Sweet Bassie finally using her burger-bun bed when I worked from home on Thursday.Speaking of burgers… Gords was in town for a few days of business so stayed with us on Thursday night. We treated him to dins at our nearest Rocomama’s.Two milkshake slurpers in action! Gords had strawberry, I went for espresso. Yum.
Friday, 7 June 2019: Pink, streaky sky over Woodstock
Pink, streaky sky over Woodstock as seen from work as the sun rose around 8am.Doglets warming themselves in front of the fire that evening.
Saturday, 8 June 2019: Woolworth’s breakfast repeat, lamb roast
We started our weekend with a dose of mall admin, so W Cafe in Woolworth’s, Table Bay Mall was our first stop. See my vanilla-cinnamon cappuccino and croissant French toast, as well as Husband’s chilli-egg omelette. Yes, this is a carbon copy of last Saturday’s breakfast!Husband far out to sea later that day. This is his “Winter? What Winter” pose.Husband’s parents invited us over for a lamb roast on the braai on Saturday night. See our happy faces.Husband and Bassie pre- and post-dins. Lol! Bertie was there too, but moved too fast for photos.
Sunday, 9 June 2019: Red velvet lattes and sweet moments with the doggies
We breakfasted at Ou Meul Bakery in Willowbridge Centre on Sunday morning. See my delicious red-velvet latte and Nutella-berry croissant French toast, as well as Husband’s hummus toast and flat white (unpictured).Sweet doggy moments later that day (some them literally sweet, with cake and doughnuts).
That’s all, folks! We hope you have a lovely long weekend and Father’s Day with your family.
*Disclaimer: My food and drink at Terroir in Kleine Zalze was part of our review package. All else came from our own pockets. All enjoyed equally.
This past week has been jam-packed on the work and home front, as you’ll see from the pics below…
Thursday, 7 March: #MayDayMeander at Allee Bleue
After a brief stint in the office before the sun had fully risen, I met a friend at Tasha’s at the V&A Waterfront for a quick work-related chat, over Nutella-marshmallow hot chocolate. Yum!Next stop, a media tour for the day in Franschhoek. Welcome to Allee Bleue! This translates to ‘blue avenue’ and makes sense when you take in all the blue Eucalyptus trees and touches of blue dotted throughout the grounds.Taking in some of the scenery at Allee Bleue.The drizzle was on and off, which made for lovely Franschhoek landscape photos.Freshly plucked herbs feature strongly in Allee Bleue’s tasting options.More of the herby bites and sights along the way as we continued our May Day Meander preview around the grounds of Allee Bleue.Mmm. Even more of the stops along the way – keep in mind the whole ‘meander’ only takes an hour or so, meaning we were taking in lots of food, drink and information in that time.Finally all meandered out, it was time for lunch. See the blue hydrangeas on the table and some of the lovely eats we were treated to. Not seen in these pics – the sweet grey squirrels that roam the property.
Friday, 8 March 2019: Table View sunsets
You can just see Table Mountain popping out a very blue shoulder behind our yellow house here – view on my walk home from the bus…Husband happily putting the gas stove to the test.Such pretty sunsets, as seen from home on Friday evening.
Saturday, 9 March 2019: Family housewarming braai
It was a ‘breakfast at Reload’ type of Saturday, as we’re now walking distance from the Flamingo Vlei branch. See my peppermint-choc latte and smashed-avo bagel, as well as Husband’s cooked breakfast with triple-shot espresso. Love the kudu-painted wall.The boxes are all unpacked so we held a housewarming braai at our house that afternoon.Various snaps as the sun went down on our housewarming braai.Braai food! See the cheese and crackers, strawberry mousse and Don’s famous lemony chicken wings.Bassie prefers to sit on a lap when there are many other folk around. Her uncle Spec slept over but the rest all made their way back to their own homes as all live nearby.
Sunday, 10 March 2019: Carlucci’s breakfast
We set off for Carlucci’s, just down the road from home, for Sunday breakfast. See my dirty chai latte and Husband peppering his plate.Our full table of food. See my dirty chai latte and chocolate croissant, the brothers’ flat whites, Husband’s Coke Zero and egg-topped mince on toast, as well as well as Spec’s classic breakfast plate.We sampled some of our housewarming gifts on Sunday afternoon – see the dry Prosecco and assorted De Villiers chocolate slabs.Little Bassie hasn’t quite figured out all the ins and outs of the new house yet so will often wait outside until we see her and let her in.
Cheers! We got to the V&A Waterfront’s Cruises Terminal a little earlier than necessary for our six-star dining experience after work on Tuesday evening, so had a quick drink at Panama Jacks first, as we could see the Crystal Serenity clearly from our table outside. See Husband’s carafe of red blend and my blueberry shake.We got to explore most of the nooks and crannies of the Crystal Serenity. There’s so much to see! Note the local bagpipers behind Husband in the bottom-left pic. They were boarding for the night’s performance.Some of the lovely sights we saw onboard the Crystal Serenity.Even more things aboard the Crystal Serenity.As seen on the wall of the kiddies’ room of the Crystal Serenity.We were also treated to dinner at Crystal Serenity’s Waterside restaurant. See my parma ham-topped gnocchetti, Husband sipping away at the endless supply of wine, food being professionally snapped, as well as Husband’s starter of ‘Ahi tuna tartare and scallop crudo, and main of broiled corvina on a tomato rice pilaf.Six-star dins? Don’t mind if I do! See my roast duckling, Husband’s vanilla creme brulee, and my coconut-chocolate trifle and cappuccino.
Wednesday, 13 March 2019: Heavy Chef’s ‘Instagram for Business’ masterclass at Workshop 17
Wednesday was gloomy and wet, which made some of the sights around Workshop 17 all the more eye-catching. See the turquoise-and-gold striped rhino, as well as snacks and treats in the Heavy Chef masterclass. Click here for my overview of the event!
That’s all, folks. Click here for more on the #MayDayMeander, here for more on our Crystal Serenity experience and here for more on Workshop 17’s ‘Instagram for Business’ masterclass. Over and out! 🙂
*Disclaimer: Our meals at Allee Bleue and at Crystal Serenity’s Waterside restaurant were part of our review package. All else came from our own pockets. All enjoyed equally.
Last weekend we visited the Two Ocean Aquarium at the V&A Waterfront, as entry is free up to a week after your birthday on proof of ID, so we paid for a single ticket…
Friday, 1 February 2019: Creative Mornings CT, work lunch at Da Vinci’s
The best way to start my Friday, especially as we were finally over the endlessness of January and into February – with gold-flecked doughnuts and insights from Dan Mace at the first Creative Mornings Cape Town session of the year, held at Friends of Design on Bree Street. Click here for a reminder of my overview of the event!It was also time for our first team lunch of the year on Friday, so we decided on Da Vinci’s on Kloof Street. See my peppermint crisp shake, as well as the R50 burger special I enjoyed, and various pretty salads consumed by colleagues.Work lunching! We sat in a lovely tropical corner.
Saturday, 2 February 2019: A free birthday Aquarium visit
We breakfasted at MareSol at the Waterfront, close to the yachts in the harbour. See Husband’s cappuccino, Coke Zero and Portuguese breakfast pan, featuring chorizo, jalapenos and baked eggs, as well as my delicious caramelly Rabanadas (French toast made from Portuguese roll rather than bread) and glass of pineapple juice.See the bright blue skies when we were sight-seeing between breakfast and the Aquarium at the V&A Waterfront. I love those rhinos so!See Husband outside the Aquarium, two eels popping up to say hi top-left, as well as various other spiny waves ‘hello’.I think I found Nemo. This ‘photo-posing’ cylinder is kiddie-size so I had to crawl around on the floor to get in and out. Anything for a good photo, teehee.Baby shark, do do do do do do… See the shark pods top-left, baby sharks bottom right, penguins top right and Husband in explorer mode.We also saw stretching starfish, stripy fish, jellyfish and coral-like stonefish (look closely at the picture bottom-right for their orange faces!)Precious seahorses, glowing archways and various other fish.Even more sea critters – rays, crabs and coral.This selection of ‘tall things’ shows how the weather changed during our Waterfront visit. See the blue skies behind Life Grand Cafe on our way in, a clever ‘no-nonsense coffee guide’, and the decidedly grey skies behind a giraffe sculpture on our way out of the area.The colourful stairs to the Silo District, at the other end of the V&A Waterfront.It was a braai at Husband’s parents for dins that evening. See various braai meats, our green gazpacho starter made with Husband’s mum’s basil plant, as well as a very happy Bertie.
Sunday, 3 February 2019: Breakfast at the Blaauwberg Beach Hotel
Sunday was gloomy and grey and all day, with pockets of rain. We met Husband’s mom and brother at Waves restaurant at the Blaauwberg Beach Hotel, as his dad was taking part in a bike race in Stellenbosch. See some of the cheese and tomatoes at the breakfast buffet, as well as our strong cappuccinos and the grey skies outside.Breakfasting at Waves! See how full it was, and our table of food. That’s a peanut-butter breakfast waffle for me, the ‘breakfast burger’ with extra egg for the boys, and the smashed avo brekkie for their mum.Coffee, a book and spending time with my doglets made for a happy rainy Sunday morning.The sky had cleared up a little bit by the time we went for our Sunday treat that afternoon, but Husband didn’t get in.You know it’s cold if Husband has a coffee-based drink for his treat – even if he’s still wearing sleeveless vests. Lol. This is the Mexican coffee, featuring tequila, Kahlua, espresso and ice cream with a cinnamon rim – followed by the tomato sangrita shooter, while I had the enormous bowl of cooked Champurado – Masa harina, muscovado sugar, milk, dark chocolate, star anise, cinnamon and vanilla. The coffee and Champurado are both on the morning menu. Delicious!We had two types of pie with salad at Mum’s for lupper, followed by homemade peppermint-crisp tart while watching the cricket – yum! Also see Bertie enjoying the breeze on the way home, with his sweet head out the window.
That’s all, folks! It’s set to be another scorcher of a weekend so stay cool.
Most of our eating out last weekend was due to the 2-for-1 vouchers offered by the Entertainer App – plus, the usual R495 registration fee is free if you’re using FNB’s Banking App and earn eBucks! See some of the treats we sampled below…
Thursday, 10 January 2019: Mid-week dins at Doodles
Last Thursday evening we had just downloaded the Entertainer app for free through the FNB banking app, so decided to try it out on a local dins. We used a ‘2-for-1 mains’ voucher at Doodles – so we paid for Husband’s linefish – the angelfish served with veggies and tartare sauce – while my Cajun chicken pizza was free. Also see Husband’s glass of red, as well as his Orange Fanta and my caramel shake. A very good dins!
Friday, 11 January 2019: Work-from-home treats
I worked from home last Friday, so treated myself to the following mid-morning snack – a cup of ‘cinnamon bun’-flavoured Hug in a Mug instant cappuccino, and a pack of Hot Fudge Sundae-flavoured Pop Tarts. Yum!
Saturday, 12 January 2019: Artideli breakfast, El Barrio cocktails, CTFM family dins
We breakfasted at Artideli in Melkbosstrand on Saturday morning. See Husband’s mince-and-egg-on-toast and my caramel- and banana-filled pancake. Not pictured – our Peacocks cappuccinos, as they were already finished. Not on Entertainer app.Pretty clouds in the sky looking across from Blouberg to Table Mountain that afternoon.We stopped in at El Barrio for our Saturday afternoon treat. We shared a portion of the jalapeno poppers, with the margarita el muerte for me and the pink mask cocktail (El Jimador, strawberries, coconut water and Malibu) for Husband. Not on Entertainer app. (Yet).The margarita la muerte (death) with Olmeca black, blackberry liqueur, tamarind and black salt rim. Just look at it. Very tasty and top marks for presentation, but taste-wise I think the pineapple-habanero version I sampled the week before is the clear winner! Click here for a reminder.After a brief nap at home, it was time for dins with Husband’s parents. See the view from our table at CTFM in Seaside Village, Big Bay, just before sunset.Husband had the East Coast potjie, presented as such.See my chicken schnitzel with chips and pepper sauce, one of our free meals for using the Entertainer app again.Lol! None of us have our ‘photo faces’ ready for this photo.Sun setting over the mountain as we finished our dins. Beautiful!We only noticed the pretty lights strung up outside CTFM on our way out.
Sunday, 13 January 2019: Pink Olive breakfast, Village Place mini cakes
We used the Entertainer app again on Sunday, this time on a 2-for-1 breakfast voucher at the Pink Olive in Stark Ayres Nursery. See the pretty decor as well as one of our flat whites, my French toast with cream cheese, bananas and syrup (free, as it was the cheaper of the two meals we ordered) as well as Husband’s standard weekend breakfast: the egg- and mince-topped toast.A sunflower-themed long table outside the Pink Olive, waiting for its party to arrive.Husband standing ankle-deep in the sea that afternoon.I barely even dipped my toes as the sea was so cold, but that ‘beachy smell’ was amazing!Our Sunday afternoon treat was a shared red velvet cheesecake (mini cake) and coffee shake at Village Place Cafe. Not on Entertainer app.Little Miss Bassie decided to travel in the backseat with her brother for a change, while on our way to her grandparents. She seemed in awe of his big, lolling tongue.Mum made a sunny pineapple mousse for dessert after lupper on Sunday.
That’s all, folks! Have a delicious, relaxing weekend. 🙂
We’ve been back at work for a week already so it seems very long ago that we were living the last week of our Summer staycation, even though it was just last week. Of course it whizzed by in a blur of sunshine, sea swims and sunset-gazing…
Thursday, 3 January 2019: Reload Flamingo Vlei breakfast, afternoon at Blouberg beach
We met my parents for breakfast at the Reload in Flamingo Vlei last Thursday morning. See our various-sized flat whites, Dad’s basic breakfast, Husband’s ‘trim’ omelette, and the avo bagels Mum and I enjoyed.That afternoon, we set up a shady spot with beach umbrella, towels and books, then Husband headed off for his sea swim. His dad joined us a little later to test the water, too.Husband diving into the deep blue sea at Bloubergstrand.Candyfloss-coloured sky that night.
It had been quite windy the past few days so we couldn’t do a doggy beach walk, as Bassie hates having sand blown into her eyes. Conditions looked good when we woke up on Friday so we set off for a nice long doggy beach walk first thing at Kreeftebaai. Success!Husband and boy dog in and around the ocean.Post-doggy beach walk we’d worked up quite an appetite. We’d not been to our local Wimpy in a while, so that’s where we breakfasted last Friday. See our coffees as well as Husband’s streaky bacon breakfast with extra cheese griller, and my breakfast waffle. Yes, we finished it all.Treats later that afternoon – a coconutty Cafe Capri and ‘Devil Wears Black’ cocktail at Saint’s in Eden on the Bay, followed by a shared, crispy-based Nikita takeaway pizza from Portalia. Just right!
Saturday, 5 January 2019: End-of-holiday meal at El Barrio
We met Husband’s mum at McPherson’s on Saturday morning, as his dad was out cycling. My plate of toast, bacon and eggs bottom-right cost just R25!Our full table of breakfast things.We decided on EL Barrio at Eden on the Bay as the place we’d celebrate the end of a Summer holiday well spent. See my delicious pineapple-habanero margarita and Husband’s ‘Mexican flag’ shooters. Ole!The food was delicious, too. See our taco bowls – the chicken for Husband, pork for me.
Sunday. 6 January 2019: Village Place breakfast, make your own chicken burgers
Sunday morning saw us having our last breakfast of the holiday, at Village Place Cafe in West Coast Village. See our flat whites as well as Husband’s eggy breakfast and my muesli jar.We made our own chicken burgers for lupper at Mum’s that afternoon. Yum!The sweet doglets in sleepy mode. Yes, that’s Bertie watching the Christopher Robin/Winnie the Pooh movie bottom-left. He loved it.
That’s all, folks! We hope you have a delicious weekend ahead 🙂
Ramblings, rumblings and random ruminations, version ii. Also reviews, recommendations and alliteration. Based on living the good life in the fairest Cape. Eating is my favourite pastime. Updated weekly
Rambling Litchii 