Life via iPhone

Wow, things have clearly been quiet when what was a weekly post consisting on 12 photos, is now 3 weeks overdue and I only have 8 pictures to share.
That is about to change thank goodness and I am creeping out of hermit-mode with a bang! It is the Vodacom Durban July this weekend and I am flying up on Thursday for a weekend of Durban sunshine and parties.

I have enjoyed the down-time however. It has given me time to relax, have a mini technology detox and letting the body recover. If you missed it, I have been off after having an operation, the recovery from which was crippled by a bout of flu. So what should have been one week off turned into almost three and made life more than a little difficult. On the upside, I got to spend time walking along the promenade and really getting stuck into books by local author, Maggie Orford. Go and get hold of a copy of Like Clockwork. You won't be able to put it down!

Luckily I had already planned to stay off the event and party scene, and only had a baby shower or two and the odd dinner date planned with friends and family. But before I went on leave, I did a little interview with the lovely Jen Sanasie at News24 for their Blog of the Week feature. I was so honoured to be asked, and incredibly excited. That was until I arrived to find myself in an actual studio, with lights, a sound room, and a few cameramen staring back at me. I managed to muddle my way through without piddling on their couch, and after all the nerves subsided, I found myself thoroughly enjoying it. Thanks again for having me Jen!

So after three weeks of pity parties, sympathy cupcakes and taking it easy, we are back baby! I have tons of fabulous content to share with you, and a fabulous little Revlon giveaway this week. So keep coming back daily.

xx
Leigh

Winter Romance

A few weeks back I was invited to Tintswalo Atlantic in Hout Bay for their Winter Wedding event, and to spend the night in their ultra luxurious resort. I don't think we were there even 10 minutes and I turned to Dave and threatened him with either a vow renewal ceremony, or I was going to start working on husband number 2, just so I can get married at Tintswalo.
That is how quickly I fell in love with the place.

We had sundowners on the deck overlooking probably one of the best views in South Africa, surrounded by gorgeous blooms set out everywhere, and fairy lights dripping from the trees and coating the evening in the most ethereal and romantic haze.

Our gorgeous hostess, Melissa, then gathered us together for a very unique Tinstwalo Atlantic tradition. We were each given a pebble and were asked to write our name on it. We then were told to make a wish, and then line up at the edge of the deck and think hard on our wish as we tossed our pebbles over our left shoulder and into the ocean below. It was such a quirky and personal touch and something that sticks in your memory forever.

We were then taken on a tour of the rooms, pool deck and honeymoon suite and also had a look at a few of the spots where they have hosted some of the most romantic weddings - again Dave was jabbed in his ribs and given a menacing side-eye.

After our tour we took our seats at a lavishly decorated banqueting table, and then the wine and conversation flowed, all beautifully accompanied by the most amazing live music by Angelo Thomas.  We then got to dig in to a feast. Five exquisite courses were presented with such love and care and our hosts and wait staff were like ninjas, topping up our glasses with fabulous wine without us even noticing. My headache the next morning can attest to this.

After a heavenly rest with the ocean crashing right outside our room, we got up and enjoyed a glorious soak in the huge bathtub before getting ready to say goodbye to Tinstwalo. But not before fattening up for one last time. Breakfast was only topped by the incredible sunrise view overlooking the Atlantic, with another set of multiple courses spanning fruits, granola and yogurt, to cheese and cold meats, and finally, whatever hot breakfast you could dream up. Any place that can whip up a great Eggs Benedict and a great cappuccino are top in my books, and Tintswalo absolutely nailed both.

We made some new friends and discovered new travel and lifestyle blogs to pour over and the entire experience was such a delight. Thank you to the wonderful people at Tinstwalo Atlantic and Nicky Arthur PR for hosting us, and inspiring my second wedding.

For reservations and enquiries, con act Dumi on res3@tintswalo.com and check out their website, Twitter and Facebook pages.

5 For Change - Cape Town's chicest annual fundraiser

I am going to go on and say it, 5 For Change is THE must-do Cape Town gala event of the year. It is the one night that Capetonians actually pull finger and attempt to actually adhere to a black-tie dress code and pull out their finery for a good cause.

Sadly, I was unable to make it this year as I was away that weekend for another celebration, so I sent my bestie, blog correspondent, and total hottie Tarryn and the fab Claire from The Studio Group to check it out in my place. This is what went down. Word and photos from Tdog.

I personally look forward to 5 for Change every year as it’s the one time that you get to really go all out and dress to the nines. We're talking black tie here, proper "New York Charity Ball" Black tie, long gorgeous dresses for the ladies and penguin suits for the guys. Now some people in Cape Town get this perfectly right, others clearly didn’t read the memo, which is a little disappointing, but this year most people seemed to make a wonderful effort and it was truly an event to remember.

5 for Change is an annual black tie fundraiser dedicated to raising awareness about five inspiring social enterprises which are changing the way Cape Town gives back.

This year the 5 Beneficiaries involved truly tugged at the heart strings, each one unique in their own way and using the resources and people around them to encourage development through various ways of skill providing and interaction. Everyone deserves a helping hand along the way! Do yourself a favour and check them out.

Milkshed

http://www.milkshed.co.za

I Am Somebody

www.iamsomebody.co.za

Earthchild Project

http://www.earthchildproject.org

Girls and Football SA

www.girlsandfootball.org

Rock Girl

http://www.rockgirlsa.org

The night involved getting to know some of the beneficiaries a bit better and then it was onto the gorgeous canapes and some great entertainment from Louise Day and The Kiffness, the bubbles flowed and the auctioneer spoke too fast for me to understand a word he was saying, but the bids kept coming, I even had a friend who bid on his own bid, he beat himself in the end and took home some amazing wine ;)

All in all 5 for Change 2014 was an amazing night, I danced until the lights came on and the heels came off! I will definitely be back next year!