Irene Village Market

Last week Saturday Gaz and I decided to take a drive to the Irene Village Market.  The Market which lies on the beautiful grounds of the Smuts House Museum is about 40 kilometres from Johannesburg and definitely worth the drive. I truly believe this market has been the pioneer in setting the trend for all the newer lifestyle markets which have popped up more recently. 

Held on the second and last Saturday of every month,  the market offers an AMAZING antique section, YUMMY food stalls and tons of other homemade, homegrown and handcrafted exhibits.

Our Advice...

GO EARLY- the market gets jam packed from as early as 10am. 

TAKE CASH- if you draw cash at the teller you'll be charged a hefty 10% surcharge.

...AND BRING YOUR FURRIES because the market is pet friendly. Had we known this- Colby & Mila would've definitely tagged along for the adventure.

09:00 -14:00

every second and last 

Saturday of the month.

tel: (012) 667 1659 

weekdays 09:00-12:30

fax: 086 6566 254

PO box 985, Irene, 0062

email: irenemkt@mweb.co.za

Wolves Cafe

These days, most of our weekend's seem to be booked up long in advance with Baby Showers, Kitchen Tea's, Weddings or Kiddies Birthday Parties. I love it because it's a sign of LIFE and GROWTH around us, people making vows to one another and building their families. In the same breath though, every now and then it's nice to get a weekend to ourselves- no commitments, no plans- just an average Saturday. When one of those weekends popped up last week- we grabbed the opportunity with both hands! We woke up late (9am) and headed out to Wolves Cafe for Breakfast and Cake. It was OUR first Wolves experience but it's certainly already a "Saturday Morning Staple" for many locals in the Illovo area as the Cafe offers fantastic coffees, free wi-fi and delicious delicious cake!

The thing I loved most about the cafe is that it couldn't be categorized. Wolves Cafe has initiated a new kind of cool as the mismatched decor forms a quirky, homely, varsity common-room kind of feel. What's also interesting is that the Cafe has teamed up some unusual combinations - Music, Beer and...Cake!? Strangely however- the Trio works! The combination comes to life every Friday from 04h30. A place where socialites can come and enjoy some nice music, nice beer (or coffee) and in my opinion phenomenal cake. The venue also hosts live music acts every Thursday night.

The menu is small and well-priced. YES, finally a place that offers good, fresh food at reasonable prices. Gaz and I had Toasted Olive Ciabatta which we could stuff with our own choice of fillings and we ended off our breakfast with their Signature Hummingbird Cake-  a pineapple, banana, pecan nut & cinnamon cake topped with a rich cream cheese frosting. A Wolves Cafe Must Have! I was also able to enjoy a little retail therapy at Wolves Cafe- they have some awesome random stuff to buy- jewellery, art, organic tea's and other randomly cool objects. 

All in all- Wolves Cafe provided Gaz and I with the perfect, chilled Saturday morning experience. All I can possibly say is- when we have another "No-Obligations-Weekend"- we'll be going back!

Find Them At:

4 Corlett Drive

Illovo

Phone Them On

011 447 2360 (Shop)

NicciNoo Creations

Most people will say they buy local, handmade products because they want to help establish a new economic model, or perhaps they will blabber off about some sort of ecological advantage of buying handcrafted goods. For me the reasons are quite simple, firstly artisan products will always be made with love. They haven't been massed produced in some huge factory, instead each stitch has been well thought out and the product always comes with a personal touch. Secondly, you are buying something from someone who LOVES what they do and the passion behind the product really shows. And thirdly, handmade products come with an invisible guarantee that says "This product is completely unique and one of a kind". No two handmade products will ever be exactly the same. Don't you hate it when you wear a beautiful new dress only to find that a million other people are wearing the same one? It's like anti-climax epitomized! Well, with hand made products you can be 100% certain that will never be the case. That's exactly why I'm crazy about buying artisan crafts whether be from the local market or from a budding designer.

Recently I spotted the work of NicciNoo Creations online and fell in love with her scatter cushions. Nicci is a full time wife and mom to grown children as well as a soon to be grandparent. She has loved all things “crafty” for as long as she can remember (reminds me of my own mom) and has fairly recently decided to turn that love into a little business, making everything from cushions, clothes, teddies to pretty much anything crochet.

Take a look at Nicci's work and place your order today. 

Email: nicciwillis@gmail.com 

http://www.facebook.com/niccinoocreations?ref=ts&fref=ts

Please note all prices exclude delivery/postage. Colours can be customized.

Darling things & where to find them

Wrought Iron

If you are looking for the perfect combination of prettiness plus practicality for your garden decor then wrought iron is the way to go! Apart from being absolutely beautiful -wrought iron is the ultimate weather-proof material. No rotting or warping- instead it keeps it's form even in the toughest weather conditions. I love it! I love the rusty natural look and I also love it when its been white-washed for a more "French Chateau" feel. Unfortunately, if you are shopping for wrought iron pieces in the city- you are going to be ripped off. They are so over-priced. I buy all my wrought iron pieces from a cute little shop on the Midlands Meander called Sterling's Wrought Iron. They sell everything from plant stands, furniture sets and chandeliers. They are also custom make pieces to suit your needs and whats more- THEY DELIVER within South Africa!  

I bought this beautiful plant hanger for R350 to fill what used to be an awkward spot on my outside wall...

Then I also happened to see this dodgy old spade which was marked down to R100. You know what they say, "One man's trash is another man's treasure".  All it needed was some dried lavender to make it a beautiful focal point beside my herb table.

At this point I don't think you'll need anymore convincing but once again- here's some eye-candy to get you all inspired about what you can do with a little wrought iron in the garden... 

Happy Gardening! Much Love Abz

Image Source: Pinterest

Darling Things & Where to Find Them

The Klein Karoo's Little Gem

Most of you will know that Gaz and I are currently road-tripping the Garden Route. On our trip down and in an area predominantly known for it's vast plains of dry, barren landscape, windmills and sheep farming, Gary and I stumbled across a little treasure of a town. Just off Route 62 and about 35km from Oudtshoorn is a gorgeous and unique village called De Rust. De Rust is located at the foot of the Swartberg Mountain range between Oudtshoorn and Beaufort West and its the perfect spot to stretch your legs, have some tea and best of all...shop.

Gaz and I were lured into an interesting little spot called The Village Trading Post. A feast for the eyes! Everywhere we looked we saw interesting crafts, homemade thingies and antiques...lots of antiques. Melville and Parkhurst have nothing on this shop's arty-farty vibe, in fact I'd go so far as to say that The Village Trading Post is the Mother of all things Arty Farty. Get your hands on some excellently priced antique furniture or browse through some gorgeous decor items weathered picture frames, vintage coca-cola crates, jugs and so much more.

If you're clever, you'll stay for the Cape's most delicious baked cheesecake or check out their art gallery displaying a range or artists' work including one of my favourites- Frans Groenewald.

So the next time you are on your way to the Cape- DON'T just pass through De Rust. Give it a chance, take a rest and find some bliss while you are there.

                                                                      xxx

The Village Trading Post also offers accommodation- please click here for their contact details