Tag Archives | south africa

amy: things i like right now

amy and i met each other in our first year of university where we both studied graphic design. i can’t tell you how many hours we spent drinking coffee on campus, ‘working’ in front of the tv while watching period dramas, driving around in her eighties honda ballade despite its odd smell… we have traveled overseas together, shared a room the size of harry potter’s cupboard, attempted to encourage each other in various exercise regimes (if you gym, i’ll gym) – the list goes on and on. a great friend who i am very fortunate to know.

things i like right now by amy who curates for field office and blogs at visi

  1. Will’s sandwiches at Field Office. My best is the haloumi and mexican salsa served on rye.
  2. My Hungarian Viszla Sophie. She is the best pooch around. Photo by Desmond le Roux
  3. Pedersen and Lennard hook. Super handy and so beautiful.
  4. Gold Toms. My friend Mariah has them and they make me jealous every time she puts them on.
  5. Chapel Bags. By my friend Caleb.
  6. Bridle Road Residence in Cape Town. Because the pool is green, the garden is big and they have ridgebacks.
  7. Isabel Marant. My favourite fashion designer - I dream of wearing her one day.
  8. David West’s latest collection. Proudly South African.
  9. Sticker wallpaper from Peyton Turner. Each wallpaper pattern is made up of thousands of hand-applied stickers, and can be removed and re-applied in any space. Who doesn’t like a sticker.
  10. Air plants. Because they don’t need so much water. Photo by Masaaki Sano
  11. Dale Lawrence. My favourite artist right now.
  12. Ryan McGinley. Makes naked look so good.
  13. Elsabe Milandri. She makes ink drawing look easy and such a free and easy style. Her subject matter is always thought provoking yet true to her roots.
  14. Old Cape Town photos. I am a history nut & could read about the history of Cape Town all day. It has changed so much and we have lost so much history, yet people don’t seem to care.
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transkei

mike tymbios is a talented photographer and in his own words a real film dork. these are his shots from a recent trip to the transkei. i’ve always wanted to go there & am ashamed of myself that i’ve never been – that feeling multiplied in quick succession with every photograph i saw on mike’s blog. an excellent reminder that our country is ridiculously rad.

also check out his flickr

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spence

YAY! an online shopping option for south africans that is actually RAD. i’m talking about spence guys. they had the launch at field office last night. spence boasts threads from sa designers like margot molyneux, missibaba, take care, christopher strong, steffany roup and many more. my credit card is going to take a beating soon.

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andy: things i like right now

things i like right now by andy of jamie who

  1. Bulldogs. I have an unnatural love for my bulldog, Elvis (that’s him in the pic.) He gets treated like a child and I can’t imagine a life without that fat little thing snoring next to me. I’m noticing a lot more bulldogs popping up though. In advertisements, at cafes, in the parks etc. They’re definitely popular at the moment, which is awesome. One bulldog is funny. Two is hilarious.
  2. Having a local. The beer revolution is gaining steam in Cape Town, as micro-breweries gain momentum. People are starting to appreciate how good real beer can be. This means for the first time in a long time there is a bar I visit a couple of times a week to feel at home. The place? Brewers & Union, Bree Street. My beer of choice? Berne. Nutty, full of honey and a nice smooth finish. [ &Union Photo from Bree Street ]
  3. Watching TV. I think it’s because of all the functions I’ve been going to, but time spent chilling on the couch has become absolute gold. And I’m catching up with some great shows. Dexter, Californication, Arrested Development, Boardwalk Empire, 30 Rock and Modern Family are my picks.
  4. Tailored shorts. We’re not 18 anymore. Oversized, baggy shorts don’t interest me. A nice, fitted pair of shorts is the most versatile thing in my wardrobe. So I’ve got a couple. They can be dressed up with a great shirt, or just worn with a v-neck and sandals. If you’re brave enough you can throw on a jacket and wear them to smarter functions.
  5. Dressing up instead of down. For some reason I’m digging it. Crisp shirts, bow-ties, skinny ties and even suspenders have been pulled out pretty often lately
  6. Limes. Walk out of a shop with a bag of limes and you already feel one step closer to holiday. They’re perfect for outdoor, summer cooking but more importantly they’re great for outdoor summer boozing. Mojitos, caipirinhas, or even just vodka straight from the freezer on crushed ice. Fresh limes are vital.
  7. Boat shoes. I spent 3 weeks travelling through Europe and spent time on every one of those days looking for the perfect pair. I came home empty handed and found a pair in Country Road. Go figure.
  8. Vegetables. Don’t get me wrong, I still love meat. But I read a few books that changed my life and I am now only able to eat meat when I know EXACTLY where it came from. Most people don’t stop to think about the cruelty that goes into farming animals. I only eat free-range meat from animals that have been treated with respect. So I’ve gotten to appreciate that vegetarian meals don’t have to be boring. [ Photo by Brandt Botes ]
  9. Being married. Yeah, yeah, I know. It’s bit cheesy. But in a year when I have taken massive risks and chased a few dreams having someone to support me along the way has been incredible.
  10. Bistros. There’s a time and a place for foams, froths, smears, bubbles, jellies etc. But my favourite style of cooking still remains simple produce, with clean uncluttered flavours.
  11. Pinot Noir. As I continue to learn about wine from some of the best in the business, Pinot Noir has leapt out at me as my favourite. I love it’s versatility. I’m a big fan of Paradyskloof, Oak Valley and – if you’re treating yourself – Hamilton Russel.
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lauren: things i like right now

things i like right now by lauren of lost is a place too

01. coffee from C’est La Vie / 02. leather and denim  / 03. Neutral tones / 04. Weddings – pic by Otto Schulze of Love made me do it’s wedding / 05. Veldskoen / 06. Succulents / 07. Kittens With Mittens’ brooches / 08. Miss Texas 1977 – photo by Kathalijne / 09. Bicycle Riding photo by Thaya Bedford / 10. Fonts

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casey: things i like right now

things i like right now by casey of sibling mine

note: i asked casey if she’d like to participate in the series and she went above and beyond. apart from making this rad collage herself, she trekked to an internet cafe to send it! casey is awesome. please click on it to see it LARGE.

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kate: things i like right now

things i like right now by kate of black cherry

  1. Colour at Jil Sander: These brights make me so happy. Jil Sander pulls off colour with pure class.
  2. Pictures of Cats: Not the LOL kind. There’s something special about capturing a moment with a cat on camera. Probably because they can be so aloof.
  3. Vredehoek: Friends’ balconies, warm summer evenings, saturday morning walks to the Spar – Vredehoek feels like home and I don’t even live there. Image via HighArt/LowLife
  4. Unusual Hats: I heart hats. Give me a turban, fez, bowler or boater and I’m yours! Image via Yvan Rodic
  5. Models who read backstage: Fighting the stereotype that models are stupid one novel at a time.
  6. Socks: I must have inherited my love of socks from my mom. Polkadots, stripes, argyle, Nordic print – she has a pair to match any outfit. I’ve started my own collection, but it pales in comparison to hers. Image via Teen Vogue
  7. Blog Books: Few things make me happier than my collection of blog books. All I need is Fifi Lapin’s “What Shall I Wear Today?” and  my life will be complete.
  8. Kris Atomic: a freelance illustrator from Brighton who has the coolest blog and makes the most amazing drawings.
  9. These Outfits: Simple. Classic. Effortless. Chic. Everything an outfit should be. Left: The Sartorialist ; Right: Hanneli Mustaparta
  10. My Margot Molyneux Cape: Local designer Margot Molyneux fulfilled my sartorial dreams when she made me this camel cape. I swear it has magical powers.
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katherine: things i like right now

things i like right now by katherine of anything goes

  1. Picnics. There’s not much to compare to the simple pleasure of a baguette, cheese and a bottle of wine – particularly when enjoyed on the banks of the Seine.
  2. Stripes. Print by Valerie Galloway.
  3. Shoes by United Nude. I still haven’t got myself a pair of these yet, but the lo res design are my recent favourites. United Nude is the footwear brand co-founded by architect Rem D. Koolhaas.
  4. Babies. Perhaps because my sister just gave birth to a beautiful baby boy. I’m not usually that maternal – so I’m expecting this phase to pass :)
  5. Street art spotted while wandering.
  6. Fresh flowers. Especially when bought at a local market.
  7. Caramel au beurre salé glaces. (Salted butter caramel ice cream) I first tasted this in Paris and recently made my own batch from this recipe.
  8. Guerlain perfume. Specifically, Mitsouko, created in 1919. Guerlain is one of the oldest perfume houses in the world. In fact, I’m a little scent obsessed … look out for a post on that soon…
  9. I have to admit I’m a fan of the the rom-com genre. Intellectual it’s not, but sometimes a girl just needs a good laugh and a little romance from a movie. L’Arnacoeur (The Heartbreaker) make me laugh out loud – watch it, if only for the dance scenes!  *disclaimer – I may have been seriously affected by jet lag when judging this movie.
  10. Spotify. Sadly, not available in SA yet.
  11. Geeky specs. Just because.
  12. And finally, Pedicures. Nothing like a little pampering. It’s time to pack away the boots and put on sandals.
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matthew: things i like right now

things i like right now by matthew of cmyplay

  1. Mattson Creative’s Lost Season 6 Posters - Ty Mattson runs Mattson Creative, a California-based agency that has worked for a number of impressive clients. His signature illustrative style communicates complex ideas in a simple, idiosyncratic and often charming manner. I really enjoy the recent series of illustrations created for each episode of the sixth season of Lost (greatest show ever aired – tell your friends).
  2. Rubicon - Since Lost ended earlier this year, I’ve had to make do with new episodes of Dexter and old episodes of Ed to sate my appetite for TV. No longer. Rubicon is a well crafted cloak-and-dagger suspense series revolving around main protagonist Will Travers as he tries to solve the mystery surrounding the death of his father-in-law. It helps that Travers works at the American Policy Institute – an intelligence agency that increasingly seems to be less “independent” than it claims to be. Another hit from AMC (who brought us Mad Men & Breaking Bad).
  3. Michelle Monahan - Mission Impossible: III was awesome for two reasons. JJ Abrams’ superb direction and Michelle Monahan. Her roles in Kiss Kiss Bang Bang and Gone Baby Gone thankfully cleaned the palate of the aftertaste that The Hearbreak Kid and Made of Honor left. Michelle comes across very open and is instantly likeable and that makes her my celebrity crush.
  4. Flip board for iPad - I tried this app out on my boss’ iPad earlier this month. Killer app? Most certainly. Once the day comes that I own my own magical tablet, this will certainly be the first app installed and it will easily replace my current Twitter, Facebook and general browsing solutions.
  5. Boston Terriers - Our first Boston Terrier was unfortunately put down. He lost his sight and picked up weight to a point that was difficult to witness. Of all of the pets my family has owned thus far, our Boston Terrier had the most character. As soon as our second-floor unit becomes a house with a garden, that garden will find a friend in Gimli the Boston Terrier. [Photo credit]
  6. Last Exit to Nowhere Tees - Last Exit to Nowhere offer t-shirts and hoodies sporting designs of fictitious organisations and institutions torn from the celluloid of cult SciFi, Horror and Comedy films. They’re pricey but the joy felt when people recognize the reference is priceless.
  7. The Jaguar XKSS – Money be damned, I will own one of these beauties. As a production model of the Jaguar D-type racing car, the XKSS says much that I agree with.
  8. Rosemary & Balsamic Dressing from Sonja’s Foods - There are all manner of excellent food products available locally. Head and shoulders above all others is Sonja Foods Rosmary & Balsamic Dressing. We discovered it at our local Spar, this has become more than a condiment. Whether it’s on tapas with the Sonja Foods Egyptian Dukkha or as a salad dressing, I usually see this bottle as being half empty.
  9. PacMat Drink Coasters - Time for my shameless plug. It’s tough to follow great work, but that’s what I’m forced to do here. It’s mainly because I felt too sheepish to put these first, but I digress. Nostalgic consumers take note, these inexpensive perspex drink coasters are proudly crafted and assemble by myself and sold through my site. Hit it up and pick up a set. It’s almost Christmas, for goodness sake!
  10. Joseph Gordon Levitt’s wardrobe - After starring in the flawless Brick, JGL’s comeback has been as fun to watch as I imagine it was to create. (500) days of Summer made me want to be more like Tom Hansen. This was as much about his wardrobe as it was for his close proximity to Zooey Deschanel. (500) days may have piqued my interest, but Inception set it in cement. Mr Levitt has usurped Brad Pitt’s Tyler Durden as my style icon.
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mallix: things i like right now

things i like right now by mallix

  1. Weekend hiking – we use Mike Lundy’s book: “Best Walks in the Cape Peninsula” (Random House Struik) and do all his hikes every year
  2. My dogs. Don’t trust people who don’t like animals, believe me. They’re also a great source of outside
  3. The Obs Spar Bakery – fresh Californian Sour Rye, the best assorted Croissants and various breads, whenever you need it
  4. Retro handsets – always a conversation starter and fun to hunt the mint one still in its box – and they’re still quite cheap (for now…)
  5. Podcasts: brian gossett / since 1978 and noice – cannot design properly without a consistent stream of quality music
  6. Flying – not the commercial jet type, the do-it-yourself, 4 seater kind. Best way to spend a Sunday, hopping around snow-capped mountains above Ceres with your friends
  7. Urban Exploration. South Africa is still full of old, forgotten places waiting for a bit of time travel. Get out and explore your city
  8. Stellenbosch market. Best food, best location. Where else would you want to be on a Saturday morning? And Milnerton Market, of course. But not for food
  9. Hunter S Thompson. Leading views on life and politics – never a boring read. Watch out for the film adaption of “The Rum Diary” that’s currently in post production
  10. Anything 3D. Games, TV’s, cinema’s
  11. Rayban round-blue. If you can find them
  12. Motorbikes. Much more fun and stylish than cars. Quicker too
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