Bikram yoga at MyUtopia, moustache biscuits and selfies with dogs

Last week I started attending the digital marketing live sessions at Red & Yellow, which run into early next year. Start scrolling below to see a few snaps from the first two classes below as well as other work-related moments and lots of snaps of the doggies…

Thursday, 9 November 2017: Futures Cape Town and Digital Marketing LIVE at Red & Yellow

Last Thursday was a very busy one for me. I started off in the office, then spent the first bit of the afternoon at the Inner City Ideas Cartel (ICIC), where I covered a bit of the WGSN Futures Cape Town session. Click here if you want to read my coverage on Biz.

Talk over, I Ubered to Red & Yellow School in Salt River. The digital marketing LIVE lessons are streamed over the internet if you can’t be on campus on time – 15:30 to 17:30 on Thursdays. Snacks and study aids at the ready!

Each week, a different digital marketing lecturer shares words of wisdom with us. Up first was Rob Stokes, who started Quirk agency (now Mirum). You can just see the back of my head on the left.

Saturday, 11 November 2017: Village Place breakfast and The World According to Bertie

“I moustache you a question,” teehee. Husband ordered a large cappuccino at the Village Place Cafe on Saturday morning, so his accompanying biscuit was suitably supersized, too.

See my regular size cappuccino and biscuit on the left, banting flapjacks topped with yoghurt and berries on the right, and Husband’s mince on toast topped with eggs in the middle.

We helped Husband’s dad get around the new Table Bay Mall in a wheelchair we lent from the mall security later that morning.

I noticed the cappuccino-donut combo special while we were doing groceries at Checkers later that afternoon and had to give it a try. What I got didn’t look quite like what was in the poster (see difference in pics) but it was still delicious and very good value for money.

We opted against the usual braai as Husband’s dad was limited in his movement, so started with veggie soup, followed by a shared peri-chicken gatsby and chocolate mousse tubs for dessert. Bassie and Bertie got to lick the tubs once we were done with them, as you can see.

Husband and his dad went for walkies down the street later that afternoon. Bertie watched.

Little Miss Bass enjoyed her visit, despite wearing her sad face in this photo.

Look at the title of the book Husband’s mum was reading!

Sunday, 12 November 2017: Chocolate-pecan pie and pink clouds

We Sunday-breakfasted at Greens in Plattekloof Village. You can just see us in Husband’s snap of the interior of the restaurant, reflected in the mirror.

To eat: Husband’s mushroom-spinach eggs benedict on the left, my toasted salami, mozzarella and olives on the right.

We had ordered a slice of chocolate-pecan pie to take home from Greens, and I heated it and ate with cream for my early-afternoon treat.

Pretty streaky pink clouds at Mum’s that evening.

Monday, 13 November 2017: Office birthday cake and evening doggie selfies

Monday was an office birthday cake day as it had been Cheryl’s birthday over the weekend. It looks like I took severely tiny slices of milk tart and carrot cake here!

I snapped a selfie with Bertie while recuperating from the work day that evening.

Wednesday, 22 November 2017: MyUptopia yoga and food review

On Wednesday afternoon, My colleague Shan and I reviewed MyUtopia near the Waterfront’s Express Bikram yoga class followed by a late lunch at the in-studio Nourish Cafe. My full wordy review will be on Biz soon, but you can get an idea of the experience here. See the foresty heated room you stretch and sweat in, and two of the yummy smoothies…

There’s fruit-flavoured water and the bathrooms are stocked with everything you may need – shampoo and body wash in the shower, cotton balls and deodorant and lockers to stash your clothes in, and even a ‘blow dry bar’ so you can have your ‘hair did’ before you venture back to the office. T’was a lovely experience.

Our late lunch was also worth writing home about. See the foam art in our cappuccinos, my toasted bacon, brie and pepperdew and Shan’s chicken wrap – both with the best beetroot crisps we’ve tasted! Thanks to Shanny for the pics as my devices were otherwise occupied at the time.

Thursday, 16 November 2017: Another afternoon at Red & Yellow

The second lesson was presented by Rob Stokes’ wife, Nikki Cockcroft. You can just see her through the glass. She’s really amazing, having been CEO at Primedia Online, taken Woolworths digital and more.

That’s all, folks! Hope you have a restful weekend.

Winter weekend work, Wimpy and walkies

We’re a little low on pics this week alas, as not only was Husband working the weekend shift but I was also glued to my laptop downloading images and compiling tables for the Cannes Lions. I still had a few delicious moments though…

Thursday, 22 June 2017: Bertie beach walk

Husband took Bertie for a trot along the seaside on Thursday as he was off that day. Bertie had lots of fun hopping along in the waves and was still a slightly damp dog when I got home that evening.

Saturday, 24 June 2017: Sunrise snaps and Italian treats

Husband snapped this shot of the sunrise sky as he left home for work first thing on Saturday morning.

Mum was meeting a friend for coffee mid-morning on Saturday so dad treated me to breakfast at Wimpy as I’d only need to work afternoon-onwards. I also had a lovely ripple hot chocolate with Flake on the side.

We stopped off at Forneria Italia on the way home for a selection of Italian tea time treats, as my parents would be entertaining the doglets while I got a head start on that evening’s winner lists. We ended up with these delicious lemon ricotta tarts, nutty canneloni and almondy puffs.

Bassie got some affection from grampa while snuggled in a blankie on the couch.

Bertie was quite happy to have his on the floor.

Sunday, 25 June 2017: Post-Cannes relaxing

When Husband left for work on Sunday morning I was happy to snuggle in bed with a book, coffee and the doglets for a few more hours.

Mum served a delicious soup with cheese rolls later that afternoon.

For dins, a cashew-nut chicken curry with slices of banana.

For dessert, only the freshest lemon loaf!

The doggies had lots more affection on Sunday as I was no longer glued to my laptop.

Wednesday, 28 June 2017: Office doughnuts

Wednesday was our CEO’s birthday, and while that’s usually our ‘non-lunch’ day of the week, he treated us to an assortment of deliciously hot, fresh doughnuts.

Husband’s on night shift again next week so I took today off work so that we can at least spend a weeny bit of time together, hope you have a relaxing weekend!

Ziplining at Acrobranch Constantia, Father’s Day flapjacks and high tea

What a busy week it’s been! In addition to Cannes Lions’ week of advertising awards kicking off with a bang, it was Father’s Day last weekend,  Husband’s turn to be Marvin again and last Friday was a public holiday so that meant doing five days of work in four – make that 3.25, as Thursday was also our office teambuilding day, which we spent swinging through the trees of Constantia. I’ll explain in pictures, so you can see exactly what I mean…

Thursday, 15 June 2017: Teambuilding at Acrobranch Constantia and Eagle’s Nest Wines

You really get a feel for the beautiful mountains and ancient trees of Constantia at Acrobranch. And while we didn’t rely on each other to complete the circuit in any way, it’s now a fun shared memory.

Some pre-circuit team jumping shots on the harness mat, the blue band shows we were doing the most complicated course (eep) and the medal-looking object in my hand in the orange-framed photo is actually the harness used for ziplining. We can pretend it’s a medal though.

Ha. I seem hesitant top left but persevered throughout (we didn’t touch solid ground for almost two hours after we started.) No wonder most of us were still complaining of stiff muscles and sore arms when we reconvened in the office on Monday. Sadly, this is the only proof I have of me ziplining. Some sections were much longer/higher off the ground/scarier than this!

Tummies rumbling from all that physical exertion we were more than ready for a late lunch at Eagle’s Nest, just up the road from Acrobranch. If you’ve never been, go go go! While the food menu is limited to platters and soups, they are truly amazing and worth every penny. Plus, gorgeous setting in the Constantia Valley hollow, surrounded by greenery and doggies and even heaters if you choose to sit outside – I’ll be back!

Friday, 16 June 2017: Youth Day French toast and Saint’s Winter menu

I’m not sure why I tend to think of Tables at Nitida in Durbanville when we want a late breakfast on a public holiday, but it’s yet to disappoint. A late breakfast it was as Husband got in from night shift at an hour most are getting up to start the day. We celebrated having some free time together with cappuccinos, the smoked salmon-cream cheese open omelette, the brioche French toast with bacon and caramelised banana and a soul-resetting view.

After a lazy day of napping we ventured out to Saint’s in Eden on the Bay to sample their new Winter menu. I ended up with their enormous serving of chili con carne-topped cheesy chips and Husband had the Comfortably Numb chicken burger with sides of sweet potato fries and salad.

All the food and drink fairly filled the table. That’s my empty latte mug and Husband’s non-ginny Rocknrolla Cola.

Perfect spot for viewing the sunset over the sea from Big Bay.

Taken just after sunset. I think we snap a similar photo each winter. You can see the pinky-red of my last-week hair quite clearly here. (If you’ve seen me since Sunday you’ll know this week it’s purple).

Saturday, 17 June 2017: Petiscos family brunch and Cannes Lions 2017 begins

My hair looks quite gingery red here but it’s just the lighting. We had time to pop out for a quick bite to eat before I’d need to take my seat in front of the laptop on Saturday morning. We got it all at our local Village Place Cafe – see my cappuccino with shortbread biscuit and the bacon eggs benedict we shared. Just right when you know you’re having a big lunch later. That’s just what happened…

Some Joburg rellies were down in Cape Town for a few days so mum arranged a family lunch at Petisco’s. I did a little bit of work right at the table. That’s my Lindt Flake shake top left, Dad’s full chicken a cafreal and mum’s peri-peri chicken xai xai (my favourite, but I order it lemon-herb to be safe). Also see skull of their own brand of hot sauce. I love it! (The bottle, not the sauce. It’s delicious but guarantees your tastebuds are singed for hours.)

Still chatting away after eating, you can see almost everyone left with takeaway boxes.

My in-laws were up in Joburg sorting out the last few house-sale items so we joined brother Spec for a braai later that evening – just the three of us (plus the doggies, of course). I was still so full from our Petiscos meal that I only ate what you see on the left – potato salad, pasta salad, a bacon-wrapped cherry skewer and garlic bread. Plus a third of the ‘caramel chocolate malva pudding’ you see on the right, because my dessert stomach was ready to roll. Teehee.

And so it begins… I marked the first late night of Cannes Lions week with this enormous mug of Milo. The tissue box is a permanent feature, am neither ill nor crying. Poor Husband has been very generous with hugs and hot drinks!

Sunday, 18 June 2017: Father’s Day breakfast at Stacked Diner, high tea at Mum’s

We fetched my parents bright and early on Sunday morning to treat them to Father’s Day breakfast at Stacked Diner. Dad ended up with the plain dog topped with gerkhins, Jalapenos and hot English mustard as well as a stack of blueberry flapjacks. Well-balanced tastes!

The rest of us ate the following: Banana caramel waffle top-left and bottom-right (me), the Parmesan French toast with ham top-right (Mum), and the hash brown stack with extra avo bottom left (Husband). Delicious!

Father’s Day ❤ Sadly I had to rush home after this to do still more urgent Cannes Lions work, but we saw dad again much later in the day, when Mum treated us to all sorts of delicious afternoon tea goodies instead of our usual lupper.

Mum whipped up ALL the goodies you see on the table, luckily brother Spec was invited to help us polish it off. See mini scone topped with jam and cream on the right. Yummy.

These pics were all taken in the space of an hour at Mum’s that evening. Pretty winter sky.

Work week coffee treats during all hours of Cannes Lions work

Two of my much-needed office treats during the week – warm croissant while unimpressed elk mug looks on (the jealous owlie mug was retired after it got chipped). And on the right, the lovely Angie who popped an unexpected coffee on my desk on Wednesday morning. Just what I needed to keep going this admin-intensive week!

That’s all, folks! Cannes Lions comes to an end on Saturday evening and Husband is working all of this coming weekend, so wish us luck!

Selfies with dogs and seafood platters at Panama Jacks

It has been an exciting week all round, with Mother-in-law, AKA Mother, jetting in from JHB to stay with us, so we have all sorts of fun activities planned with her for the next few days. See a few of our most recent highlights below…

Friday, 15 July 2016: Doggy daddy play

After work last Friday, the doggies decided it was time to ‘attack daddy’. If this was a video instead of photo, you’d see them frantically dashing from side to side, nipping at fingers and growling at anything that got in the way. They had a jolly time!

Saturday, 16 July 2016: Lacomia breakfast, Doodles dins

If you head down to your nearest Builder’s Warehouse, chances are there’s a Cafe Lacomia tucked inside. We ventured into ours last Saturday morning as had all sorts of DIY tasks to tick off our to do list for the day… but also had rumbling tums to satiate. This cappuccino dusted with chocolate did the trick for me…

Especially when washing down this delightful French Toast that looks just like a waffle. T’was dusted in cinnamon sugar and a spattering of syrup, mmm. Kept our bellies purring all day as we completed those assorted tasks I mentioned, all the way through to dins, in fact.

Husband went for the Bullseye – two poached eggs, mushrooms, grated cheese and a frank. They seem to have updated their menu fairly recently as Zomato lists all sorts of other things and not what we remember.

We returned to Doodles that evening to try out a few more of their specials. I went with the soup and pita option (R35) and Husband had his favourite – bangers and mash (R59).

Sunday, 17 July 2016: Morning at the Driftwood

On Sunday we decided on a stroll across to the Driftwood Cafe while our car was being washed. We were the only humans there, and enjoyed watching all the ducks get their breakfast. See them on the grass behind me.

We weren’t the only humans for long though as the sunshine got everyone out and about – even Mum (that’s mine, not to be confused with Husband’s Scottish Mother) and Dad popped in and joined us!

The warm weather continued to such an extent that we had fancy cocktails at Mum’s that eve – grapefruity gin drinks and Nachtmusik with ice cream.

Monday, 18 July 2016: Col Cacchio lunch with parents and doggy selfies

I had the day off on Monday, so Mum and Dad took me to Col Cacchio in Big Bay to try their new Winter lunch menu. For liquid beginnings I had a coffee shake. You can just see Mum’s Sprite Zero and Dad’s Smirnoff Storm in the background.

What a lovely lunch we had! See our starter salami pizza bottom right and Mum with her bowl of pasta. Scrumdiddlyumptious, as the BFG would say (no, have not yet seen the movie) and all at less than R60 per bowl.

After lunch I decided to read on the couch. Bertie slowly sidled closer and closer. Eventually I decided to document the doggy sense of adventure. These are some of my favourites.

My attempts with Bassie were much more cautious as she is just so very suspicious of the camera. Also included Bertie’s most serious selfie so you can see the family resemblance.

Tuesday, 19 July 2016: Airport pick-up and seafood platter at Panama Jacks

Tuesday dawned gloomy and grey. We got up late and headed towards the airport to collect our precious cargo for the week.

We met Mum and Dad at Panama Jacks for lunch as it’s a family favourite. Here’s a family shot (taken by Mother, that’s why she’s missing from the pic), so you can see the inside decor of Panama Jacks – I think every other time we’ve dined there, we sat facing the other wall.

How lovely! Mother and son sharing the seafood platter special at Panama Jacks.

Wednesday, 20 July 2016: Haggis for dins

We clearly don’t see Scottish Mother very often as she lives in JHB at the moment, so when we do see her there’s a strong chance that haggis is involved. That’s just what happened on Wednesday night, and we ate it all.

That’s all for now, folks. Tune in again next week for more of our adventures with Mother, before she returns to the big smoke! 🙂