Tea houses – we love them too

Finding a good tea-house is not easy these days. So when I stumbled upon dear Contessas, in Rivonia, I was pleasantly surprised. Eclectic to the max with original tea blends - Who could ask for more? There are so many teas on the menu, a concerted effort is going to have to be made in order to soldier my way through them all.

The food is pretty delicious too, and the cakes are out of this world – not exactly what a bride-to-be should be dreaming of but they are really yummo. So if you are looking for somewhere new to try, test this one out – you won’t be disappointed. (See we also cater for tea lovers on cup-of-chino).

Every time I pop in I try a new tea and so far they have all been winners. See what they have to offer http://www.contessateashop.co.za.

Grand Designs 2013 {Chino adventure}

The world of chino has been busy, busy, busy – in a good way. Last weekend chino in-hand I made my way to the Grand Design 2013 show. Iranian cherub was showing off her food demonstration skills and so we decided to head to the West Rand for the morning. Grand Designs always does a pretty awesome job with their set-up and they didn’t disappoint.

There is so much to see, it can be a bit overwhelming. Half way through we had to find a coffee stall in order to nurse our addiction. It gave us the energy to peruse through the rest of the show.  So many amazing stalls, unfortunately for us – we only have an apartment, not a warehouse – so all our purchases were virtual. But one day Grand Designs, one day I will have space for all your wonderful inventions.

Until then I guess the photos will have to suffice.

 

To see what Grand Designs had to offer, check out their link http://www.granddesignslive.co.za.

Interweb and Creative Inspirasie

I was perusing the interweb this morning and stumbled across a little creative inspirasie. Wow, people are so talented. I love painting/designing etc but battle to find the time to put paint to canvas these days. It is no excuse, which I remind myself on a constant basis but it is the unfortunate reality at the moment. So I guess I will have to just have to enjoy other peoples art in the interim. 

I was really taken with these interpretive female portraits – the integrated medium vibe is right up street and wouldn’t mind these gracing me with their presence on one of my walls at home.  

What you think? Please share any creative sources that you have, we all love a bit of creative inspirasie.

Images: http://designspiration.net/

Where’s the Chino?

I have been so incredibly neglectful of the chino. Abundant apologies. I got a stern talking to from the Iranian cherub and realised I really had let things slip. The last two weeks have been incredibly action packed, in good ways and in bad. But let’s focus on the good.

The era of babies, engagements and new adventures has begun. I became an aunt for the first time and the entire family has become slightly baba obsessed. She is the most precious little thing in the whole world, not to mention the cutest – so you can understand why we are all so in love. That’s the baby part covered.

Engagements – we have a few friends who have recently taken the leap and we are so excited for them. Last Sunday, I helped one couple with an engagement photoshoot. We took some amazing photos for their Save the Dates and website.  It is cheesy to do these things but weddings are all about cheese. The photographs are beautiful and I think it’s important to capture the important moments in life. Watch this space for the Save the Date idea… Will give you a sneak peak when I can.

The venue where we took the pics was absolute stunning. The view of Jozi is insane. You can see everything from the mines in Soweto – JHB CBD – Sandton and Rosebank centres. Pretty awesome panoramic of smog city, especially at sunset.

2013 is going to be a BIG year, with our own wedding to plan as well as a few other tricks up our sleeves. I’ll let you in on the secrets as we go along. This was just a quick hello to let you know that I am in fact still alive. I promise there will be more activity on the cup-of chino, stay tuned.

Have a good weekend everyone.

Vino's and Chino's {another Chino adventure}

Vino's and Chino's {another Chino adventure}

I realise I have been quite neglectful this week of the poor cup-of-chino but big things are on the horizon and I (regretfully) let chino slip. But here is a dose of chino for the weekend.

Last weekend we headed to Parys for a wedding – what a fantastic little town. I have never ventured to that part of the world before. It is such a quaint little place and is cup-of-chino heaven. Along the main road, there is a coffee shop every few metres, one could seriously over dose on caffeine if you had to pop into every one.

On good advise from our fellow road trippers, we had a lunch at a wonderful eclectic place called Hoi Polloi. The food was delicious and the company was wonderful. Although there is quite a treacherous exit due to the angle of the staircase – proves a little more difficult after a vino or two. Anyway,we made it out alive and all the better for it.

The shops along the main strip stock everything from mosaic frames to Granny’s rusks. You could spend hours sifting through the homemade goodies. If you are looking for a weekend getaway close to Jozi (only an hour and half away) Parys should definitely be on your list.

To find out what this little gem has to offer checkout this link: www.parys.co.za/

Creative community inspiration - Arts on Main

Creative community inspiration - Arts on Main

When the weather is good, we always try and find a spot to enjoy the sunshine.  For ages, I have wanted to take a trip into town to experience Arts on Main. So last Sunday that is exactly what we did.  Wow, what a vibe. When you reach the entrance you cannot imagine the buzz of activity. The food stalls are amazing and thereare so many choices, ranging from artizinal beers, bunny chow, prego rolls, Argentinian cuisine to roosterkoek and souvlaki.  Anything goes and the crowd is incredibly festive. We even got to watch some salsa dancing, which was unexpected and we suddenly felt the urge to take dancing classes.

Organic chocolate store.

The original Roosterkoek Queen.

The ‘I was shot in Joburg’ sign caught my eye. They have a shop at Arts on Main and the idea really struck a chord. ‘I was shot in Joburg’is a community project – using photography and creativity. They provide street children with photography training. These children then apply their creative skills and generate an income.  Royalties earned by the photographers are managed by the NGO, who supply the children with financial advise from an outsourced registered financial adviser. http://www.iwasshotinjoburg.co.za. How fantastic that these kids get a chance to express themselves through photography. It just shows no matter what your skills are you can use them to uplift your community.

View from the top.

After a few mini Prego rolls, a couple of beers and much relaxation we decided to head home. What a wonderful afternoon, we will definitely make that trip again. It is so refreshing finding these creative hubs in Jozi and can’t wait to discover a few more.

To find out more here's their website marketonmain.co.za/.

Persian delights – time to get tasting

Persian delights – time to get tasting

Nothing better than starting a Saturday morning with asurprise parcel. Even if the parcel is not for you, there is still an elementof excitement. Last Saturday, Iranian cherub received a big box from Cape Town,compliments of her parentals. The treats that emerged are amazing, especiallysince I have never tried/seen any of them before. This was no ordinary treatbox but a strictly Iranian treat box. Delicious nougat (gaz), chic-pea flour, cardamon and pistachio biccies, fruit nibbles (labashak) and chocolate covered dates.

Delish gaz - with awesome package design.

Not only were there treats in the box but Persian spices too. Tonight we are being treated – the Iranian cherub is cooking a Lamb Stew with Persian gold and all the new spices. Persian gold = dried limes. Apparentlythese limes are the business and I cannot wait for this meal.

Contents of the Persian parcel.

Our humble home is going Persian and we are loving it.

Spruits and flicks

Spruits and flicks

Recently, I have been really lucky. We have been spending loads of time outdoors on weekends. We were invited to a friends 30^th in Bronkhorstspruit. I have never really spent much time in that part of the world - and Gramps’s birthday meant we were camping on the farm at the Bronkhorstspruit river.

Wow, what an unbelievable place. Natural beauty – I’m talking about the river and not the boys playing volleyball. Although they aren’t a bad bunch;)

Sundowners at the river followed by an evening of disco fever – Farah Fawcet flicks nog al. 

This place is not even an hour out of Jozi and the sense of space is insane. I wasn’t happy about having to pack up and trek back to the city but who can complain about a weekend filled with friends, farms and Fawcet flicks. It was pretty special all-round.

Chino adventure

Chino adventure

A cup-of-chino adventure is always welcomed. I love finding new places for my caffeine addiction. Whether it be a quaint tea garden or a modern coffee shop, I love them just the same.

The decor always inspires me, especially when you can purchase what is on display. On my Easter escapade I uncovered this little gem - Latte and lace.

 The people of Empangeni are well aquatinted with it and I can see why. Look at the lovely style, plus you can buy anything on the shelves. It's all for sale. The tea and scones were absolutely delish. Luckily for my bank account, I had a flight back to Joburg and could only take hand luggage. If that had not been the case April would have been very poor.

So if you ever pass through the metropolis of Empangeni and need to feed your chino addiction, stop by Latte and lace. Just make sure that you have an empty suitcase.

Everyone loves a bit of Vaalie

 Everyone loves a bit of Vaalie

I love the coast. There it is... I said it. Every year I start feeling more and more like a *Vaalie. Believe me, I am not happy about this but when you have lived away from the coast as long as I have there are certain habits that you pick up (against your will) that scream Vaalie.

* Vaalie - one who descends from landlocked Gauteng (formally the Transvaal) to the seaside. Hence Vaalie.

Firstly, you find yourself at the coast only at Christmas and Easter. Along with the rest of the Vaalie nation. If you do happen to hit a coastal town out of those holiday periods, you make poor coastal souls take you to the beach - even if it is just to look at it and breathe in the salty air. 1 x poor coastal brother has been subjected to this on countless occasions, thanks Trav. Unfortunately as much as I fight it, I fear I have more Vaalie tendencies these days.

As a coastal lover who is not currently residing near the beloved ocean, I feel like I have been quite forthcoming with my shifting status - but I could never go full Vaalie.

Let me explain full Vaalie - one starts to hyperventilate when the sea is in sight. The excitement builds to such capacity that as the first grain of sand touches the skin, the Vaalie charge is set in motion. Note: never get between the Vaalie and the ocean - it's up there with getting between an elephant and her calf - sane people just don't do it.

The Vaalie charge involves a Vaalie sprinting to the sea and the overwhelming happiness that is brought on by waves beating you into submission. I am allowed to bring the Vaaliness to light as I am marrying one and he is the one that explained (and happily demonstrated) all of the above.

Easter brought out the Vaalie in me as I descended down to the coast. But with a view like this who could resist.

I got to spend some good time with good people, and I have all the Vaalies to prove it.

Monday blues

Monday Blues.

Mondays are never great for me and usually I battle to get excited about anything on a Monday. But this week it ended off pretty well and I think that it may have had something to do with Full Stop Café’s – Parkhurst – Calamari Monday. 

www.dining-out.co.za/md/Full-Stop-Cafe/3247

It really topped off a pretty average day and with a public holiday on Friday I think this week is going to be a goodie. Thanks Calamari Mondays…you have managed to turn it around. Whose with me next week?

Wide open spaces

Wide Open Spaces

After a long week shackled to a desk there is nothing better than resetting your soul. For some mall ratting is the route of choice but some of us actually enjoy a bit of natural light, it does a lot of good to get out and enjoy some fresh air (relatively fresh considering we reside in Johannesburg - smog city). Our newly engaged friends gave us an excuse to spend a wonderful afternoon lazing on blankets and filling up on gorgeous cheese and wine, all the while lapping up the sense of space.

After an afternoon of indulgence and excitement and some unexpected strawpedos, we felt wonderfully relaxed and vowed to make excursions like these a regular occurrence, whether or not that happens time will tell. I know the leafy afternoon will definitely make this week easier, the sense of space and great company made for a great ending to the weekend.

Let's hope the blue cheese and fig delights continue into the week. Mmmmm gurl.

Comfort and Colour

Comfort and Colour

A couple of weeks ago we were in need of some comfort. Nothing is more comforting than a cup-of-chino. So Flats (*Flats is the Iranian cherub that we have the pleasure of residing with) and I set out on a Sunday morning to find some Jozi comforts.

We came across the Fourways Farmers market. www.ffmarket.co.za/ 

What a win. The setting, the food and of course the cup-of-chino were perfect.

The Iranian cherub enjoy the delish juices...Yummo

We treated ourselves to yummo juices – carrot/pineapple and ginger is definitely tops on my list – and a delish burger. Yes, it was a morning burger but when they smell that good there is no such thing as self-control. Don’t look at me like that…

The pops of colour coming from the nursery really put a smile on my face and a spring in my step. I love flowers, especially the really bright ones. I know it’s girly and probably geeky but who doesn’t love natural colour and beautiful things.

On our way through we spotted the perfect cafe for plotting our upcoming adventures. We found a cosy table for two on the outside patio and indulged in our cups-of-chino. It’s amazing how the creativity flows when one has a chino in one’s hand (and of course the Iranian cherub company). We managed to achieve quite a bit, unexpectedly I might add especially for a Sunday.

On our way out I looked back to the entrance of this wonderful find and noticed that even though you may find some relaxation and natural surroundings in Jozi, you cannot escape barbwire fencing. Well at least this lovely little market is protected – literally.

A year today

A year today

Not only is it Human’s Rights Day http://www.southafrica.info/news/rights-200312.htm#.UUhkwhnRw18 - an important day that signifies so much for South African history - today but I have just realized that in exactly one year I will be wedding the Rice cake. We have been together for almost a decade. I hear your jaw drop to the ground…

Varsity sweethearts have managed to make it through – can you believe it. I suppose after being together for 10 years, 1 will fly by. We have 365 days until the nuptials and I am sure that there will be many a wedding post leading up to the big day. If you have any inspiring ideas or thoughts send them through, I am always open to some creative procrastinating.  

Let the planning begin…