Anthology Pop Up

Durbanites, if you haven't already been there, then take a swing past Windermere Centre to explore the gorgeous new pop up shop, Anthology.

Occupying the space of the previous Food Lovers Market you'll find a light, airy, spacious pop up shop selling a collection of carefully curated items, from gorgeous 'pre-loved' clothing to inspiring art and tasty macaroons. 

The vibe is relaxed yet sophisticated, the clothing old and new, the decor fresh and clean and the art is seriously cool. (I've got my eye on this flamingo piece that I'm just begging to bring home...)

The store will be open until January so be sure to swing past before it moves on.
  

Derryn Semple Photography

My good friend Derryn of Derryn Semple Photography asked The Boyfriend and I to pose for some pics.
I admit I thought I'd feel like a tosser posing on a beach, but we didn't pose. We frolicked and had fun and in the end happened to get some really cool pictures.

If you're getting hitched and looking for a wedding photographer, give Derryn a call. (Just to make it clear, Dane and I have not sneakily eloped. Mom, Dad - relax)

Derryn joked around with us and made us feel so comfortable with a camera in our faces (usually a very awkward situation for us non-models) that we really actually enjoyed it.

A few snaps from our hour on the beach...

We love Durban.

My Gorgeous.

Dane's turn behind the camera...

See more pics here.

Meet Derryn:

 

Find Derryn on facebook too.

If you like it then you shoulda put a bow on it...

Because everything looks better wrapped in a ribbon...

Dress: Ideals, Cardigan: Mr Price, Ring: Asos, Belt: Gifted, Bracelets: Gifted

 

Thrills, Grilles and high speed Skills (My first Top Gear!)

Denim Shirt-  Mr Price, Shorts -Woolworths, Bag - Gifted, Sunnies - Lundun

 

This year for the second year in a row, TOP GEAR (as in the British TV show) came to our fun little city of Durban for their Top Gear Live Festival. A weekend dedicated to fast cars, terrifying stunts, gravity defying bikes and everything else car related (as in speakers the size of small cars, tightly packed into the back of big cars. I still don’t quite understand this. Your ears bleed if the sound goes louder than soft. Why?)

Just a few Ferraris

Last year I had no interest in going. This year I had no interest in going. Cars aren’t really my passion. I drive one so I can get around. That’s why I have a car. If public transport was reliable in Durban I might even consider it over driving…

But, even with my clear disinterest in cars, The Boyfriend and I got offered tickets to the festival. And boy was I glad we went. What an experience!

The thrill of the stunt men drifting high speed vehicles within less than an inch of each other, the sound and smell of a Formula 1 car racing around the track just metres in front of us, the excitement of a bungee jumping car (yes this is Top Gear, expect ‘silly’ stunts too) and the awe of multiple motorbikes all flying through the air, their riders flicking their legs above their heads, was enough to convert me. I had so much fun. 

 

Just you know, doing a quick can-can while flying through the air...

I even got so into the spirit of it all that I became a groupie and had Formula 1 racer Antonio Felix da Costa sign my chest! ( I didn’t have an autograph pad or anything and well, I’ve always wanted to be like, 'OMG sign my chest!' Inner rock star groupie wannabe in me sneaking out there.)

 

OMG! Sign my chest! heehee!

I think this could suit me...

Everything is just, well, BIGGER!

The Moses Mabhida Stadium

I am a changed woman. If Top Gear comes again there is no way I am skipping it. If not for the cars, for the thrills. The adrenalin pumping, heart racing excitement is just what I love!

 

I LOVED watching these guys. The one man isn't even touching his bike!

Yes, its a bungee jumping car!

 p.s. Yes, we are right in the middle of winter! This week is the winter solstice and we are still in shorts and slops! I love my city! It seldom gets cold!

 

Colour Festival

Every hour the DJ did a count down to a big toss where everybody threw their coloured powder into the sky.

This Saturday was the Colour Festival I posted about last month. It was a massive celebration of colour and quite possibly the messiest party I have ever been to. But what a fun time we had! This was an experience like no other!
As promised, a couple photos from the day...

La Maison

There's no place like home, and well, there's no pace like La Maison. 
Hidden in plain sight in Durban North, La Maison is the cutest and most welcoming little cafe, spa and scrapbooking shop. 

picture taken off  here

With indulgent pastries, great coffee and so many awesome bits and bobs to look at and buy, maybe try it out for your next girlies brunch if you're in the area... 

Fun table decor

picture taken off  here

picture taken off  here

Nothing like a spot of shopping after tea...

I do love ribbons...

Find La Maison at 9 Ennisdale Drive, Durban North.

Durban - I Love My City

I came across this fantastic video by Chris da Canha showing beautifully shot time lapses of Durban. I love my city and this just gives you a glimpse of some of her beauty...

Wine on the Wharf

If you saw my last post you'll know Dane and I are exploring and holidaying in our hometown of Durban. 

For dinner this weekend we headed to the wharf for oysters and wine. Unfortunately they were all out of oysters (sob!) but a seafood platter made up for it for sure!

Plus it just gives us an excuse to go back for oysters another day...

(Excuse the terribly cheesy grin.)

Bag - A Gift from Dane, Top - Pick 'n Pay (can you handle?), Cardi - knicked out my Mother's cupboard, Jeans - Mr Price, Shoes - Sissy Boy (also a gift from Dane)

Holidaying in my Hometown

 This year over the festive season Dane and I chose not to escape to a beachy paradise like we usually do, as we are off to Italy in a few weeks, so instead we took to holidaying at home. 

Durban is such a beautiful city and a massive tourist destination over December so we took advantage and played tourists!

One such adventure was hiring bikes and riding them along the beachfront... Exercise and fun!
 

Having just hired bikes at the Stadium - Dane being extreme?

Riding with friends on a sunny day... bliss.

The stadium where we rode from  is the little white mark on the far right after all the buildings...

 

Dane insisting that the bike must be in the picture...ha.

STS Sports at Moses Mabhida stadium hires bikes for R40 an hour so for R80 you can ride all the way to uShaka, maybe break for lunch and a ice cold beer, and then cruise back...

Such a great way to be outdoors and active!

Lazing at Liberty

above pics taken from here

Tucked behind the awesome Couch+Interiors on Windermere Rd, hides At Liberty, a cafe with an ambiance so welcoming that a girlfriend and I went for a quick coffee and ended up staying for lunch, lazing the day away in this quirky cool little gem.

Opened in June this year by owners Jamie and Chris, At Liberty is a getaway from the hustle and bustle of daily life, offering fantastic coffees and delicious light meals. 

At Liberty is currently only open during the day but is also available for hire for birthday parties and any celebrations, including hens parties. (I hear from a reliable source that Chris and Jamie make a concerted effort to make any night memorable – but I didn't tell you that.)

If you are in the Durban area do yourself a favour and pop by. Who knows, you may also end up staying far longer than planned...

Find At Liberty on 415 Windermere Rd (Lilian Ngoyi Rd) and on Facebook.

The walls are lined with quotes from John Lennon to Dr Seuss

I am so in love with these strelitzia cushions.