Author: s.a.b

Africa, Johannesburg

Rosemary Hill: cute little getaway from the city

by s.a.bLeave a Comment on Rosemary Hill: cute little getaway from the city

If the last fifteen months have taught me anything, it’s to be creative with week-end getaways and local escapades. It’s been hard not to be able to hop on a plane to London or Paris, but we have been luckier than most in South Africa, and there are so many lovely places to discover it almost doesn’t feel like travel has been restricted. Evidently, limited travel doesn’t mean that the school refrains from sending the children on “holidays” every six weeks, on the contrary! So keeping our two little minis busy and entertained has also been a full-time task lately. Alas we can’t go on safari or to the beach every week, so we mix those with getaways closer to the city, and finding Rosemary Hill and its adorable cabin cluster (CabinVille) so close to Johannesburg was a god-send.

Although Johannesburg feels like a giant forest and the winters here are lovely with the warm light and sunny afternoons, we sometimes miss a little bit of countryside, the kind that you would get from a trip to the Cotswolds or to Provence… It’s all a little urban at times. However, if you drive about an hour to the outskirts of Pretoria, you will find the most lovely farm now revamped into a wedding venue cum B&B. The farm offers more traditional accommodation in cottages, but what is unique is the little pods out in CabinVille: the idea of glamping in a very cool modern cabin just was too good to pass on. This is how we arrived at the Big Pod.

The Big Pod is a two-level cabin where upstairs is a large sleeping and lounging area with beautiful views out to the tree line; the full wood cladding look gives it a wonderful hygge atmosphere and the kids were so excited at a family sleepover opportunity. Downstairs is a double bedroom, a bathroom with the most perfect tiling, and a very well appointed kitchen. Outside is a deck with loungers, space to dine out, and a braai (you’re in South Africa, of course there is a very well functioning barbecue area!).

There is a restaurant and a café on the grounds and breakfast is included in the pod bookings, but we decided to be in our little bubble. We had brought all the goodies for sundowners, a arm themed dinner (sausages and organic veggies) and croissants and baguettes from the best bakery in Johannesburg (if you know, you know, if not, message me!) for breakfast. It made for the most perfect isolated outing, and we barely crossed anyone during our stay.

Whilst the Big Pod feels very open to nature, it is beautifully built and quite warm in the evening, not to mention the fluffy duvets. This did not feel at all like camping and my mind was very far from sleeping bags and communal showers, thankfully. Considering I am not the biggest fan of sleeping in tents and sharing my bathroom space with creepy crawlies this was perfect.

There are lots of things to do on the farm, from exploring the walking and bike paths to going on a horse ride, visiting the farm animals… The Autumn weather is perfect to walk around, as it doesn’t get too hot and the colours are beautiful, especially in the afternoon. The next morning we had signed the munchkins off for a session at Acrobranch, also on the farm, and they had a blast with the zip lines and climbing features.

All in, we thoroughly enjoyed our stay at Rosemary Hill. It is perfect for a quick one-night getaway from the city, to break out from the routine and enjoy something different as a family.

With love, S.

Outfits, Uncategorized

Paperbag trousers… ready for the new season

by s.a.b4 Comments on Paperbag trousers… ready for the new season

I know it has been a while since my last post but between a new role at work and my commitments to my little family it’s been a little busy. Just a couple of months ago we were down by the coast for a last peek of Summer during the children’s half term holidays, and the weeks flew by and before I knew it, Autumn and its beautiful colours is here. I owe you all a few posts on some of the recent trips we made recently, I promise I will get to it, but today it’s an OOTD post. Time to don my knits and brace myself for the weeks when the glass wall in my home office will mean it gets a little chillier than comfortable.

Recently I have fallen head over heels in love with Lezanne Viviers, the designer behind Viviers Studio and the most dreamy pieces of clothing, mixing impossibly couture details, impeccable tailoring and a creativity not often found away from Paris Fashion Week… I found her totally by luck by going down my Instagram feed rabbit hole, and a few months later Lezanne and her team of incredibly talented tailors have made me a few beautiful pieces, all made to measure, including this fantastic pair of paperbag trousers. I fell in love with the structured look and oversized legs, and who cares if even my highest platforms disappear underneath, I adore the look. Although they are made of denim, the look ends up being very couture and fun but grown-up, if that makes sense.

Another current obsession of mine is puff sleeves. I can’t get enough of them, in dresses, blouses and this cool square neck knit. I like the 1970s vibe and how it makes my shoulders balance out the whole silhouette. It makes for fun MTeams looks as well, of course… Looking at my arms in the photos though I wonder if I shouldn’t have sized down. Perhaps a slightly warmer wash than advised will fix this.

I did give my Bronze B a little outing for the photos only… these days I barely need a bag to go to my “office”… Perhaps one day I will get back to putting full outfits together for work meetings, meanwhile, accessorizing for blog posts is all I got. How about you? How is the working from home situation going for you? Have you recovered from the loungewear everyday phase?

With love, S.

Americas

A holiday at Saint Lucia’s Sugar Beach

by s.a.bLeave a Comment on A holiday at Saint Lucia’s Sugar Beach

Some vacations keep a special place in your heart, and to say that is the case of my Summer 2013 holidays is a major understatement. After months of stress, too much work travel and a lot of hours spent at my desk, I was desperate for some time off, time to spend with my little munchkin just playing around and relaxing. I had wanted to visit the Sugar Beach on Saint Lucia, previously Jalousie Plantation, for a very long time, and eventually booked us for just under two weeks of utter bliss.

I’d heard this was a beautiful place with luxury service in a fabulous setting, so my expectations were, quite simply, sky high. We arrived early on a Sunday afternoon, skipped the usual check-in stop at the reception desk (at the Sugar Beach, check-in is done in your room) to be greeted by our butler, who took us up a short flight of steps to our little villa, which included a large suite with a bright and wide bathroom, a walk-in closet (we all know how much I love those), a little bar area, and, amazing perk, a tropical garden with our very own pool… The furniture is all white, like the walls, doors, and shutters, everything designed in pure island style, and within a couple of hours I felt myself relax in this blissful environment. In all honesty, they had me at ‘no check-in’ (after a long-haul flight from Europe, with a toddler in tow, you’ll be grateful for any shortening of the formalities and barriers between you and the beach).

The resort is small, with cottages and villas nested in the lush rain forest between Saint Lucia’s famous two pitons, on the site of an 18th century plantation. The location is totally iconic, with breathtaking views whichever way you look with the most glorious little crescent of white sand right in the middle. The beach is dotted with the most comfortable beach loungers I’ve seen, and the huge coconut straw umbrellas are big enough to shield you from the tropical sun all day long. I think if that if paradise does indeed exist, it should be part Sugar Beach part Rue Saint-Honoré…

We ended up spending many days on that beautiful crescent beach, enjoying the warm water with hardly any swell at all, meaning Little Monsieur swam very happily for hours on end. He did however insist in a little splash in our small pool at the villa at the end of each day, and his squeals of delight were all we needed to know he was just as happy as we were at the Sugar Beach.

Food is equally lovely, with breakfast served on the terrace of the main plantation house, and a choice of settings for lunch and dinner as wide as you want them. We never felt over-crowded, and the guests were a nice international mix of honeymooners and families with children. There is a spa up on tree houses in the middle of the jungle behind the original sugar mill buildings, I did spend a pretty fantastic afternoon there getting pampered to the singing of tropical birds (and maybe mosquitoes,… maybe).

When we did venture out of the resort, we visited the Soufrière region,  where the sulphur springs, botanical gardens and gorgeous waterfalls left us in awe of the wonders of the island. Little Monsieur, barely two and a half at the time, really enjoyed himself during these visits and when we got to the mineral baths at the sulphur springs he was adamant he wanted to apply the full body mud mask on himself, and swim in the warm bath, and so I had to give in and jump with him, despite being a bit cautious at first, seeing as the water is quite hot! We all came out with super soft skin, although each pore seemed to have absorbed a tiny bit of the iron-sulphur powder mix which wasn’t quite washed out by the baths cold showers and almost had to be scrubbed out in the comfort of our bathroom later that day… The swimsuits we wore that day still have a grey tinge to them, all these years later… In Castries, the capital, we enjoyed the colonial landmarks and the beautiful arts and crafts market, although all in we were very happy during this holiday to just chill most of the days.

We’re a little far from the Caribbean at the moment but I am sure that we will be back, this time bringing Little Madame with us, to enjoy the beauties of this very special place. After all, I missed the hikes (this holiday was before I discovered my love of a, ahem, fitter life), and just that beach is worth getting on a plane for.

With love, S.

Outfits, Uncategorized

Summer… here to stay

by s.a.b3 Comments on Summer… here to stay

Summer in South Africa is usually a long, sweltering affair that starts around early October, and lingers all the way until the very end of March. In Johannesburg it gets particularly hot and stuffy most days, with sometimes a welcome relief storm in the late afternoon… This week we’ve not had much rain, maybe later today or tomorrow. I cannot wait.

Someone asked me earlier if I missed working in the office, and I candidly replied that no, I mostly missed the aircon at the moment (cue slightly shocked gasps)… That is not entirely true, as I miss the personal interaction with many of my colleagues that a MTeams screen can’t really convey, but it seems I’ve gotten used to it by now. One thing I do not miss at all (besides menial time-wasting office politics, I did not like those in London and still don’t in Johannesburg) is having to dress formally and wear high heels during the warmer months. In fact I wonder if I’ll ever be able to go back to heels over three inches!

These days I’m spending my days in long floaty dresses, like this beauty Merwe Mode made in this colour just for me. I am in love with the light fabric, the tiers, and of course it twirls beautifully, not that a serious grown-up like me ever twirls, no… What I love about maxi dresses is they look best with flats, and in the last seven months I’ve worn mostly flats; sometimes I fancy it up by wearing my Coco slingbacks or my Orans but usually it’s some version of the ones you see here… The bad news is all my pretty heels are languishing in my closet, and I’m not sure my feet will ever want to wear them again.

Although I do dress casually most days I try to fancy things up a little with accessories, like my Gucci Horsebit 1955 bag, which I wear with the strap fully extended, and a couple of glitzy Chanel necklaces… Let me reassure you, the necklaces were out by the minute I sat down for my first Teams meeting of the morning, and the bag is languishing until it’s time to log out for the day and go get my nails done (it’s time: I’ve had the same mani for three weeks, some nails have started to peel).

How about you? How is your style evolving this year? Anyone still wearing heels? If yes, where!?

With love, S.

Johannesburg, Uncategorized

Jacaranda hysteria is here

by s.a.b2 Comments on Jacaranda hysteria is here

Just like London goes through wisteria hysteria during Spring, if you live in Johannesburg then you know that October is the perfect month to enjoy the jacarandas in bloom, and many of us dedicate a full day to going through the beautiful purple canopied streets each year.

First, a little bit of history: Johannesburg is the largest man-made urban forest with over 10 million trees, but jacarandas are not exactly native to South Africa, they arrived in the late 1800s from South America and were planted along almost every new street being built; they are now considered an invasive species and it has become illegal to plant them, but you should be able to admire them for some years still given they have a 200-year lifespan. You can enjoy them in bloom from early October for about four to six weeks usually.

My own love story with jacarandas started in the early 90s, when we travelled to Zimbabwe and were absolutely mesmerized by the purple lined streets in Harare, and my mother brought back a few seed pods (yes, that’s my family, gardening smugglers since the 1980s…) that have now become two glorious jacaranda trees in our Casablanca home.

In my opinion, the most beautiful neighbourhoods to see the blooming jacarandas are Greenside, Westcliff, Melville (where they often contrast with bright pink bougainvillea), Melrose,… although to be honest the trees are dotted pretty much everywhere in the city. If you want full tree-lined roads, the following streets are where you want to go: Kent and Hume Roads in Dunkeld (they run East to West so this is the place for sunrise and sunset photos), Jameson, Reform and Victoria Avenues in Melrose, Bristol, Wantage, Griswold and Rutland Roads in Parkwood, and of course 4th in Melville for the contrast of the bougainvillea and jacarandas.

A perfect viewing day would involve a drive out to Houghton Ridge, Greenside, a breakfast or lunch at the Westcliff (also known as the Four Seasons hotel, they have the best view in the city and the terrace really comes into its own during Spring, I prefer the breakfast, before it gets too busy), and a stroll around Emmarentia park to enjoy the colours. With a bit of time, maybe a couple of stops on the way back to capture the afternoon light around Dunkeld.

Whilst the Johannesburg purple haze is stunning, Pretoria is the real Jacaranda City of South Africa. The city is built in a valley between two hills, making it easy to find a high point to admire the beautiful pattern made by the streets: jacarandas represent almost 20% of all trees in Pretoria, so the show is something well worth the drive from Johannesburg. Also, you can enjoy blooming jacarandas almost two weeks earlier here, seeing as the city is a little warmer than Jozi, which might also be why the purple looks a little more vivid. I love driving around Brooklyn, the trees here are really old and form a canopy that covers most of the street. Don’t miss out driving up to Groenkloof, where you can look down on most of Pretoria but also drive to Herbert Baker street to see the famously rare white jacarandas…

The trees are looking splendid this year, although some seem to be blooming either a little late or not at all, maybe they are taking a year off (I also wish I had taken 2020 off at this point). That said, it’s still a sight to be in awe of. Before I go, let me tell you what my favourite time for a jacaranda stroll is: the morning after a thunderstorm, when the floor is lined with a magical purple carpet, then you can catch me dreaming… See you there?

With love, S.

Outfits

Safari stylish in Madikwe

by s.a.b1 Comment on Safari stylish in Madikwe

A couple of weeks ago I wrote about what I usually recommend packing for an African safari, and I had planned to do an outfit post to go with it, but then I was enjoying myself so much during our return visit to Morukuru I forgot to do proper outfit photos… and when we got back life and work got in the way so I’m only now remembering to post. It’s lucky I had a few photos for one of our coffee breaks that I wanted for an Instagram post, as they also work for this post.

This outfit is exactly how I like to dress for a morning game drive. It’s usually quite chilly in the early morning when we go out, even in late Spring, but it also gets warm around 9:30AM, and layering is my preferred option to be comfortable from start to finish. The dress here is my bottom layer, it’s made of a super light parachute-like fabric, and has buttons all the way to the bottom meaning I could also wear it open form the waist down over jodhpurs for colder weather.

I topped it off with my favourite camo shacket (this is at least eight years old by now…), which is worn down and comfortable and has deep pockets for kids snacks, my phone, lip balm etc. As a middle layer I’m wearing a jumper cum cape knit with an asymmetric hem: it is sleeveless so works well under the thinnest outerwear unlike chunkier knits and doesn’t keep me too warm. I do love the modern look of it though, it’s a lot of fun.

I could have added a shawl for extra warmth but the week-end we were in Madikwe in late September had pretty mild temperatures. Still, you can see I’m a lover of accessories as I’m wearing a croc CDC bracelet from Hermès, plenty of little chain bracelets, and, more practically speaking, a wide brim hat and my new pair of Zara desert boots. The strap on my Sony Alpha is by South African maker Lunar Straps and perfectly matches the landscape.

I love this photo of Little Madame and me on the dead branch… alas you can’t see that she is wearing her own number one accessory: a leopard headband with little ears, but it’s on my Insta feed, go have a look, it’s adorable. There you have it, I think you’d agree I am looking both reasonably stylish and super comfortable.

With love, S.

Style, Style Notes

What to pack for an African safari

by s.a.b4 Comments on What to pack for an African safari

I recently was on safari at AndBeyond Phinda and was very amused to observe a lady about to climb into the game drive car in LV high heels, with a matching Neverfull. It prompted me to think about what people pack to go on safari… In my very opinionated mind, there is an appropriate dress code for every occasion (just wait until you read the post I will write about beachwear) and packing for a safari in the African wilderness is totally different from packing for just any other trip. It’s a challenge for first-time safari goers, but it’s not that complicated: I’ll give you a hint, you needn’t pack your designer heels.

First, let’s talk about luggage. Usually, if you are flying from abroad, you will likely be arriving into Kruger or Serengeti on a bush flight, and those are often very small planes, with very strict weight limits: 15 kilograms per person, in a soft-sided bag so it can fit easily. I find the best bags for safaris are duffel bags made of sturdy canvas with leather handles, but basically just think about soft luggage rather than the square wheelie you take on big airplanes. Worth noting: Kenya and Tanzania don’t allow plastics in the country anymore, so bear that in mind when organising zip-lock bags for your toiletries and other small goods: it’s best to take a mesh one than a plastic one.

Now… clothes… Just because you are going on safari doesn’t mean you need to dress frumpily. In fact, I’d venture that with so many photos being taken you ought to try and look extra stylish. Extra stylish, but comfortable. See, the main activity of a safari in this part of the world is going on game drives: you will be sitting in a game drive vehicle for hours on end, so whatever you wear make sure it’s crease-proof (if possible) and comfortable. Do you bring formal wear on safari? For most lodges, even the most luxurious ones, I’d say don’t bother. You’re likely to go straight from your evening game drive to drinks to dinner, with no time to change. Sometimes there is a little time to change, so I usually pack a silk shirt and a semi-casual maxi dress: they also work for the game drive, and are not too fancy.

A few things are important though, such as layering. The morning drive starts just before sunrise and the evening drive tends to finish well after sundowners (probably my favourite part of a safari), and in this part of the world the temperatures vary dramatically from day to night, so wearing layers helps a lot. I generally prefer cashmere to fleece, but my children love the lodge zippies we get from Morukuru, they are super soft. I always take at least one large Hermès cashmere and silk shawl, for me of course but also for Little Madame who likes them as blankets (I know, shock horror… an H shawl as a safari blanket). I also recommend long sleeves and trousers rather than shorts, to avoid getting cold but also to try and protect your skin from the sun, which is far stronger here than you would expect, if you come from the Northern Hemisphere. And finally, there is a reason game rangers and regular safari dwellers wear neutral and earth tones: first the neutrals don’t call the attention of animals as much as bright reds and oranges (yes, even when you are in a game drive car, they see each individual person, no they don’t think it’s one large animal), but also many countries in Africa are the home of the tsetse fly, a biting fly who loves dark blue and black… so leave those black leggings home, and pack on the khaki and beige trousers.

How about footwear? Whilst you may be lucky to go on a walking safari at some point, I don’t think heavy hiking shoes are that useful on safari. Usually just a pair of comfortable fashion sneakers or high-top canvas shoes are fine: the lighter, the better. If you’re coming during rainy season make sure to pack some waterproof shoes, and do bring some flipflops to wear around the pool between game drives. Whatever you do, forget the heels. They are useless and you would be hobbling down for the morning coffee like a baby impala. Not a good look.

And finally, don’t forget a good hat. I am repeating myself, but the sun is really strong. So pack a wide brim hat. Please don’t go all Melania and order a colonial monstrosity. Noone wears those, and if anything they are reminiscent of a time we should always strive to move on from!

There you have it. Of course you will know to bring your chargers (including for the camera… very important), plug converters, good SPF and mosquito repelent, and cash for the tips. Bon voyage!

With love, S.

Indian Ocean

My Mauritius home away from home: Lux* Belle Mare

by s.a.b1 Comment on My Mauritius home away from home: Lux* Belle Mare

If you are based in South Africa, Mauritius is the ideal island get-away for young families, with all the ease that comes with an extremely tourist friendly destination, the beautifully appointed hotels right on the beach, and an easy 3.5 hours flight hop. I love Mozambique, but if you have a baby or a young toddler and want something easy, then I would recommend Mauritius. Similarly, if you are in Europe, Mauritius is an easy choice: despite the long flight, the time difference is minimal, even for babies who are on sleeping routines, and the weather is pretty fabulous all year round, making Mauritius a great escape when the weather gets a little too miserable. With the recent border closures and the disastrous oil spill on the Mauritian shores, one can only hope that the local tourism will be able to bounce back and thrive once again.

Although we had been to Mauritius before, we only discovered Lux* Belle Mare about four years ago… With two little munchkins in tow we wanted to find a hotel with great service, a pristine beach and possibly a children club, so we decided to stay at the Lux*, and we’ve never looked back. It’s easy and convenient and we stay here every time we come to Mauritius.

From the airport pick-up until it’s time to leave, staying here feels like an interlude in paradise: the resort is quite large, yet arranged amongst the coconut trees and lush tropical gardens in such a way that it never feels crowded, not even on the beach or around the pool. Service is impeccable: between the reception team who is always keen to help out, the beach boys who are never too far away with a fresh and plush towel and a delicious cocktail, and the restaurant staff who learned our names and preferred breakfast options from day two, this is a place we come to to be spoiled. (When I compare with the haphazard service quality of Lux* Saint-Gilles in La Réunion, I’m lost for words as to how they can belong to the same hotel group…)

Like the gardens, the family suites are beautiful, modern and big enough to accommodate our little family of four. When Little Madame came as a baby, she had a baby cot, and now she shares the pull-out bed with her brother: the super attentive housekeeping team quickly learned that our littles go to bed by 8pm every night, so the bed gets pulled out whilst we are out at dinner, and ready for their early bedtime whilst we can enjoy one last drink on the terrace which leads on to the gardens and the beach (the view in the morning is spectacular). The bathroom is super roomy, with a bathtub perfect our two little munchkins to bathe together, and there is even a little walk-in closet, meaning nothing stays in the way.

We spend our days here mostly on the beach, because neither Hubby Dearest nor I understand the appeal of flying half way across the world only to lounge around a swimming pool (you can do that at the Harbour Club …) And what a beautiful beach this is: white sand, plush loungers, coconuts and parasols providing well-needed shade from the tropical sun, clear blue warm water where you can just bobble for hours on end.

There are four restaurants, including one Indian and one Chinese, but the beach one was our favourite for lunch. The main restaurant is great, with buffet for breakfast and dinner, and options for all the family. The chefs didn’t mind making vegetable purees for Little Madame when she was a baby, she has since graduated to helping herself from the great buffets. For snacks, there is a food truck on the beach, serving American junk food (there is no nicer way to describe it but it is delicious!) and fabulous ceviches, although in the afternoon the little ice cream parlour by the pool is quite popular, when children and adults flock for a taste of the tropical sorbet lollipops. My favourite? Coconut milk.

Children have a grand time at the Lux* Belle Mare, with the kids club fully equipped for children from 0 to 12 years old, and for teenagers there is a hang-out club with a ping-pong table and games by the tennis courts. We don’t really take our children on holidays only to have other people take care of them full time, but this is definitely an option Lux* give you, if you want… The kids club has a busy schedule which starts at 9AM, and children can even have dinner with the kids club team instead of their parents, if that’s your cup of chai… Whilst we don’t make use of these options full time, it is lovely for our children to spend time with others, go on beach themed adventures with a very dedicated team, and when she was a baby Little Madame had a nanny looking after her each day during her lunchtime nap and the hottest hours of the early afternoon (also meaning I was able to fit in a one-hour workout everyday whilst in the resort, including some pilates reformer work!)

If it’s your first time in Mauritius and you want to explore a little, I highly recommend a morning out at Port-Louis’ market, the fruit and veggie displays are quite unique and you can shop for local arts and crafts on the second floor. I also love the Pamplemousse botanical gardens. There are dozens of fantastic things to visit and explore on the island, but after five stays we just like to come here for the R&R…

With love, S.

Johannesburg, Uncategorized

Johannesburg: Three family picnics

by s.a.bLeave a Comment on Johannesburg: Three family picnics

Here we are: we have all been on lockdown here in South Africa for well over 120 days now, the children have been homeschooled, some schools went back part time but if like me yours attend an international school the odds are they have now been on “vacation” for close to a month… By now we were all hoping that we would be allowed to travel, at least within the country, god knows we need it but also it would bring such a relief to the bleeding tourism industry, but sadly it’s not to be, and we are locked in our prohibition-ridden provinces for the foreseeable future… It’s no wonder then that so many of us are turning to some local options for days out, and whilst Gauteng (the province where we live) is no Western Cape or KZN, there are some options. Here are three we tried recently, for more ideas check out the Highlight on my Instagram stories called Johannesburg Staycation.

Dinokeng: Bring your own picnic, watch the game pass by

Dinokeng is a game reserve just outside of Pretoria, boasting most of the animals you’d find in a big park such as Kruger, and offering self-drives as well as lodge activities. We came for a self-drive one week-day morning early July, and whilst it doesn’t have the trappings of going on a luxury safari such as the ones we have become used to, spoiled as we are, it was lovely and we did enjoy being out and about in the middle of the animals.

You can bring your own picnic, as we did, and as it was a week day we had the picnic area pretty much to ourselves, or you can opt to lunch at one of the reserve lodges, and then have a ranger drive. I think being on a self-drive means you can come very early in the morning, and then do everything at your own pace, however neither Hubby Dearest nor I being professional trackers (who am I kidding we’re not even amateur trackers, I often mistake big rocks for rhinos!) we did miss out on big game such as elephants or lions, but then again that’s not really why we came. We wanted a day out and this very much filled the brief.

My recommendation: if you’re opting for a self drive avoid the week-ends as apparently it gets super crowded.

Modderfontein: On your door step, street food aplenty

If you want to stay within half an hour of North Jo’burg, then Modderfontein is the perfect outing, especially since it has started hosting some of the food trucks from the Fourways Farmers Market, which has still not re-opened sadly… so this is a good way to support businesses which have been struggling in the recent months, and have a fabulous time.

The reserve is quite big, with a few trails that are all quite flat and easy to walk, cycle or run (the children did a mix of running and walking, and hopping along, it was quite relaxed), and once you are done you can either get a coffee or a street food lunch from one of the stands. There is a large outdoor area with bales of hay and picnic tables that is perfect to enjoy the Winter sun whilst munching on burgers (it was Sunday, so cravings allowed, right?)

Remember this is super convenient for Jo’burgers so if you’re coming on the week-end (the food stalls are only here Saturday and Sunday for now) do try to arrive by 9:30 to avoid a long queue at the reserve entrance.

Ground, The Venue: Winelands vibe with a beautiful boxed picnic

Amidst the numerous venues on the wedding belt that is the Magaliesburg, many have remained shut, but some have embraced the challenge of lockdown by reinventing themselves. Ground The Venue has done so beautifully.

You start your day by hiking around or up the little koppie that stands just behind the farmland (little is an understatement, my legs still have tremors thinking of climbing that thing… but the view from the top was so worth it, not to mention the reward at the end). I did wear my new hiking monstrosities that day, and I am glad I did: whilst the hike is not hard per se, it is intense).

After about two and a half hours, you are back by the farm and, if you booked, make your way to a beautifully set table in the middle of the mini vineyard, giving you vibes of the Cape Winelands, especially if, like we did, you bring your own bottle of vino to enjoy the delicious picnic boxes… There is no rush to go home from there, the calm of the country surrounds are super chilled and even the children didn’t beg to move on as soon as they’d wolfed down their picnics…

Bookings are essential, especially if you want one of the tables, although you can also bring your own and enjoy the grounds. Do bring a hat and SPF, there isn’t a lot of shade around.

There you have it, three outings where you can take the little ones on a picnic within a short drive from Johannesburg… Which kid doesn’t love eating outdoors?

With love, S.

Outfits, Uncategorized

Still in Winter but yearning for Spring

by s.a.b1 Comment on Still in Winter but yearning for Spring

Here we are… still in lockdown but with harder restrictions than a week ago, and still very much in Winter: a bitter wind has joined the frozen temperatures meaning my habit of wearing bare legs with skirts and dresses even during the cold months will have to wait a little more. In truth, I’m getting a little bored of my usual working from home attire, especially as it means I’ve not worn any of my more formal clothes… That said, this week I received a few jackets I had ordered in London, and then my lovely seamstress delivered a few of my new pieces, including a copy of my favourite tiered dress in a more wintry fabric. And suddenly I was able to find my outfit mojo again.

First, a word on my jacket, by MiaGiacca… It is all 100% handmade by the beautiful Maja, who one day decided to eschew fast fashion and create beautiful pieces that look elegant and timeless no matter what you match them with. We exchanged a few messages on Instagram after I found her and agreed on the tweed, cut and chain trim (also handmade…) and after a few weeks my gorgeous jacket was delivered in London, waiting to be redispatched to me here… The jacket is not only gorgeous it’s also super light and exactly at my measurements, meaning the fit is perfect. I will be coming back to Maja for more and in the meanwhile I think it could be fun to do a post of how I can style it in more or less formal ways…

The dress is a replica of one of my absolute favourite white dresses (I realised by digging it out to take it to my seamstress to copy that I do own quite a few white dresses) in a lightweight checked fabric I found in one of my recent outings to the fabric store… The shape is oversized with exaggerated tiers, something I love as it feels very modern and unstuffy. Lightweight fabrics are perfect for South African winters because you can layer them and not feel too warm in the midday sun.

If you ever want to elevate a casual look, do it with accessories. That is why I love shoes and bags so much. With a tote and a pair of Stan Smiths this would be a perfect relaxed outfit, here I added a pair of my favourite slingbacks (they truly are my favourites: they are comfortable and chic, and in my view when you find a pair of shoes you love so much it’s totally justified to have them in various colour combinations…) and my beautiful little Coco Handle, both by Chanel.

There you have it… a look that wants to be for Spring but works for the freezing temperatures we’ve been having of late. I hope you like it.

With love, S.