JULY / AUGUST 2017 Issue 44
ed’s note
JULY / AUGUST “Winter is the time for comfort, for good food and warmth, for the touch of a friendly hand and for a talk beside the fire: it is the time for home.” ― Edith Sitwell Winter is here! I hope you’re all keeping warm. Curl up with a cup of coffee and enjoy the read! If you want to get involved in Flat White Magazine, through articles or advertising, please contact me. We’d love to welcome you to the Flat White family! With love, laughter and a lot of coffee. Christine www.flatwhiteconcepts.com
@FW_Concepts FlatWhiteConcepts www.flatwhiteconcepts.com | Issue 43
RECIPE DEVELOPER, FOOD PHOTOGRAPHER AND STYLIST www.bibbyskitchenat36.com
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Bibby’s Kitchen @ Thirty Six www.bibbyskitchenat36.com
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Chicken a la king filled Parsley pancakes Ingredients
Method
PANCAKES
1. Start by making the batter for the pancakes. Place the flour, baking powder and salt in a bowl. 2. Add the butter, milk and water and whisk to combine. Set aside for at least 30 minutes or better yet, overnight. When you’re ready to cook the pancakes, stir through the parsley. 3. Heat a pan until hot and cook the pancakes until golden on both sides. 4. To make the white sauce, melt the butter in saucepan. Add the flour and whisk to combine into a smooth roux. Pour the milk in slowly, whisking all the while until the sauce is smooth and thickened. Add the cream cheese, Dijon mustard, salt and pepper. 5. For the chicken a la king, heat the olive oil in a pan and sauté the onion until softened. Add the mushrooms and cook on a high heat until all the water has evaporated and the mushrooms take on some colour. 6. Add the green peppers and cook for about 5 minutes. Season with oregano, lemon zest and juice, salt and pepper. 7. Reserve ½ cup of white sauce, pour the remaining sauce in with the mushrooms and add the chicken pieces. Simmer on a low heat for several minutes then set aside to cool slightly. 8. Fill the pancakes with the chicken a la king and roll up tightly. 9. Place the filled pancakes in a greased baking dish and pour over the reserved white sauce. Finally, top the pancakes with mozzarella and place under a grill until warmed through and the top is bubbling and golden. 10. Finally, scatter the pancakes with freshly grated parmesan and parsley.
• 1 cup flour • 1 teaspoon baking powder • ¼ teaspoon salt • 1 egg • 2 tablespoons butter, melted • 1 cup (250ml) milk • ½ cup (125ml) water • 1 tablespoon finely chopped flat leaf parsley WHITE SAUCE • 2 tablespoons (30g) butter • 2½ tablespoons (40g) flour • 3½ cups (875ml) milk • ½ cup cream cheese • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard • salt and pepper, to taste CHICKEN A LA KING • 2 tablespoons olive oil • 1 brown onion, diced • 250g button mushrooms, sliced • 1 green pepper, deseeded and sliced • ½ teaspoon dried oregano • zest and juice of half a lemon • 2 cups roast chicken, cut into bite size pieces • sliced or grated mozzarella cheese • a handful of parmesan cheese • chopped parsley
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Darling Brew The story of Darling Brew began all the way back in 2007 in the middle of an African adventure. It was here where Philippa and Kevin Wood stumbled across Andre of Sneeuberg Brewery, a man who instilled within them a passion for beer. They came home inspired to start their very own microbrewery in the heart of Darling, and so Darling Brew was created. Little did they know, fast forward ten years, that they’d have such a well-known brand out into the world. We were lucky enough to meet Philippa, coowner of Darling Brew, who took us on a personal tour of the brewery. There’s nothing quite like seeing the process of making beer (a behind the scenes look) that makes you appreciate the work and effort that goes into each bottle. Every single part of the process has to be executed to perfection in order to maintain the same quality of beer each and every time.
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variants of their beer sitting on the shelf. “Slow beer is the name of the very first beer that we created. But it’s more than just a name. It represents our philosophy. These are not mass produced beers. It’s the slow and steady fermentation process that turns them into the beers that people love today.” For me, the name also reminds me to take a break, to slow down, and enjoy a beer.
After the tour, we made our way to the tasting room. My favourite part of Darling Brew was the different facilities offered to their guests. Customers can choose to sit outside (a great place for those with children), or inside with a view of the working microbrewery itself. The restaurant not only offers beers, but also serves delicious food to pair with the beer. We went for the Cheese & Meat Platter for 2, and five differ “What exactly is slow brew?” I asked ent beer tastings. Philippa, as I spotted one of the more famous
www.snapsizzleandcook.co.za www.flatwhiteconcepts.com | Issue 44
Win a cooler bag with six ice creams from Skinny Scoop. See competition pages for more.
Darling Brew currently has thirteen beers on offer for the tasting, ranging from 2.6% alcohol content to 9%, each with a unique flavor component. Not sure what to choose when you’re there? Go for a tasting and get to know each beer individually. My personal favourites from the tasting were definitely: Slow Beer – An extreme lager with a rich golden colour. Refreshing with a real hops flavor and founding off with a mild bitterness. 4% Rogue Pony – Pale Ale. A not too edgy pale ale with a mild body and a hint of straw and honey on the palate. 5% The beers went perfectly with our food platter, a selection of meat, cheese and bread, all locally sourced. The combination of the beer and the platter made for a beautiful representation of Darling itself. Another exciting reason to visit Darling Brew, is the launch of their top four bestsellers (Slow Beer, Bone Crusher, Gypsy Mask and Rogue Pony), in a 330ml bottle. I’d like to say a big thank you to the lovely Phillipa Wood for taking the time out to show us around. Her knowledge and passion in the company is prevalent in every sip of beer that I took that day. Darling Brew – Take it slow. Details: 48 Caledon Street, Darling. 021- 286 1099 www.darlingbrew.co.za Words by Christine Bernard Photos by Warren Bernard www.flatwhiteimages.com Article written for West Coast Way. www.westcoastway.co.za
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Ormonde Wine Estate You can’t visit Darling without stopping in at Ormonde Wine Estate, a farm that prides itself on creating wines that offer characteristics of their environment. They’re passionate about Darling, and believe in making wines that showcase the area.
a downpour, and we ran to get inside. Lucky for us, being indoors just meant that we could start our wine tasting – the perfect antidote for a rainy day. The electricity might have gone off, but the wine helped us forget about the weather outside.
We arrived during one of the biggest storms that Cape Town had seen in a while. We were half way through taking pictures of the beautiful swans grazing the lawn when there was
We met with co-owner, Berinda Basson, who was kind enough to create a special wine tasting for us. She explained their love affair with Darling and Yzterfontein, and how the mist that
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rolls off the sea, creates the perfect environment to produce such beautiful wines. We started off with two white wines. Chip off the Old Block Sauvignon Blanc (a name I adored), is a single vineyard wine, which offers a more fruity, tropical flavor. It has elements of fig and gooseberry. It was fresh and smooth, and easy to drink. The Ondine, Sauvignon Blanc, is a great wine to showcase the grapes in the area. It has elements of asparagus that comes through that gives it a more complex earthy flavour. Berinda described the wine like a ballet – it’s elegant and beautiful, but, in order to produce this, a lot of hard work went on behind the scenes. Once we were finished with the whites, we went onto the reds. We tried a few different varieties, and we enjoyed them all. It’s unusual to try so many different types of wines, and to enjoy each one of them. But that’s what Ormonde is all about – their wines are delicate, intricate, and yet easy to drink. My personal favourite (of which I immediately bought a bottle of), was the Ondine Cabernet Franc. It’s 100% Cabernet Franc, and by far the most interesting of all the wines I tasted that day. It has a unique character, which is soft, friendly and fruity, and a wine I could imagine enjoying at any occasion.
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After our tasting, we headed outside, and saw that the storm had passed. It had now turned into the perfect afternoon for us to enjoy one of the best platters I’ve ever eaten. An array of local delicacies, including pate, cheese, meats, and bread. Due to the power outage, we were unable to try some of the cooked meals, but it wasn’t necessary at all. The platter was delicious and filling. We’re looking forward to going back again. We have our eye on the chocolate pairing next, but I’m almost certain we’ll stay long enough to have another food platter too. Also, the name Christine is important to the owners, and if you have a look at the back of the Cabernet Franc, you’ll see why. So naturally, I now feel an affinity towards Ormonde that will keep me coming back. Details: Mount Pleasant Street, Darling. 022 - 492 3540, www.ormonde.co.za Words by Christine Bernard. Photos by Warren Bernard, www.flatwhiteimages.com Article written for West Coast Way, www.westcoastway.co.za
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taste We visit Russells on the Port . . .
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taste Russells on the Port is a restaurant, a bar and a boutique guesthouse situated in Port Owen Velddrif along the West Coast Way Berg and Foodie Routes. It’s a foodie must for those in the Western Cape. That’s what I love about living in this beautiful city – everything is just a short drive away. It was a lazy Sunday when we decided to visit for lunch - one of those special days you get just before winter settles in. The air was still, and the sun was just strong enough to be able to sit outside. We made the drive from Blouberg to Velddrif (only just over an hour away) and smiled broadly at the view before us, which completely took us by surprise. Russells on the Port overlooks the Port Owen Marina. This means that while you enjoy your meal, you’re also treated to the tranquillity of the beautiful bay. It’s the type of place that you want to spend hours at, just drinking in the view as well as a glass of wine. Or, spoil yourself with a jug of sangria and spend the night. That way you won’t have to say no when the waiter brings another jug your way. The guesthouse offers six rooms, which all come equipped with a flat-screen TV, free wifi, tea and coffee making facilities, and beautiful views. They often run specials, so be sure to follow them on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram to stay in the loop. This is not just a tourist destination. This is a place for anyone who wants to get away from the humdrum of everyday life. It wasn’t just the relaxation and the wine that I came for. It was also the food. I’d heard good things about this place, and I was interested in finding out more. I was pleased to see that it was a small menu I’m always attracted to places that have less options to choose from, rather than a place that has too much. I know then that these are all meals that the chef feels passionate about – and I was definitely not wrong. Chef Charl Coetzee clearly knows what he is doing.
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We decided on a starter and main, rather than main and dessert. But after looking at the dessert menu I knew I’d have to return. Here’s looking at you Sticky Toffee Sundae.
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agreed on. I was glad that I decided to listen to him – the meat was so soft. Every element on the plate married well together, and looked so good on the plate that I almost didn’t want to mess it up. Thankfully we managed to take a few photos For the starter, Warren went for the Beef Tartare, before eagerly polishing off the plate. which came with gherkin, caper, mustard and crispy anchovy. I went for the Slow Roast Tomato The service was wonderful, the view was incredSoup, which came with a wood fired tarte flam- ible and the food was delicious. I wouldn’t mind bee. Warren loved his, and there was no doubt if all Sunday afternoons were like this. that I would come back and order the soup over and over again. It was delicious. Also, I saw a few people eying it out when the waiter delivered it Details: to me. Trust me, when you see it, you’ll want it. 1 Bronwen Avenue, Port Owen, Velddrif For the main, Warren chose the Miso Glazed Springbok. It was rolled in a pistachio and wasa- 022 783 0158 bi crust and served with sticky rice fritters. I went for the Duck Breast, served with cauliflow- www.russellsontheport.co.za er, mushroom and a truffle dressing. As per the Words by Christine Bernard and photos by chef’s recommendation both the springbok and Warren Bernard (www.flatwhiteimages.com) the duck was served rare, something I almost dis-
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www.flatwhiteconcepts.com | Issue 44
www.flatwhiteconcepts.com | Issue 44
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We visit Lily’s Restaurant
I was surprised to found out that Lily’s Restaurant was only a few months old. The place was packed, and already looked well established along Mouille Point’s Golden Mile. We arrived on a cold winter’s evening, and were welcomed with warm fires and warmer smiles. The décor was romantic and unique without even a hint of pretentiousness. It’s the sort of place where you want to stay for hours, enjoying a few glasses of wine. Which was exactly what we did. There was a good selection of wine on offer, as well as other drinks if you’re not that way inclined including smoothies, cocktails, milkshakes and juices. I chose the Iona Mr. P pinot noir, while Warren went for the Diemersfontein pinotage. That already set us in a good mood for the evening ahead. Both beautiful wines for a chilly Cape Town evening. We decided on starters and mains, instead of mains and dessert. Initially we were going to attempt all three, but we were stuffed by the end of our second course. My starter was the Carpaccio! Biltong Carpaccio, which consisted of in-house biltong, parmesan, avocado, olive oil and balsamic. Warren chose the Caesar Salad Croquettes, comprising of chicken croquettes, Caesar dressing, lettuce purée, parmesan and white anchovy. Both delicious, and generous portions for a starter. We battled to choose a main because everything looked so good. I finally settled on the Holy Cow, beef fillet served with button mushrooms, onions, potato purée and beef jus, while Warren went for the Monsieur Sirloin, sirloin served with Café de Paris butter and fries. Both were amazing, but the winner of the evening was for me the Holy Cow – everything about that dish was perfect. We were too full for dessert, although I did have my eye on the Espresso Your Self, a molten lava cake with salted caramel and ice cream. We may have skipped the dessert, but we still ended on a high note with a cup of coffee. There aren’t many places that know how to do a good Americano, but this was one of them. Highly recommended. I love discovering new restaurants, especially places that are clearly passionate about the food they produce, and the atmosphere they provide. This is most definitely one that I’ll visit again. Reserve your table by phoning them on 021 – 204 8545 or visit their website on www.lilysrestaurant.co.za Photos by Warren Bernard www.flatwhiteimages.com
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Please note: prices may change.
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THINGS WE LOVE
Monogrammed Tea Towels 100% Cotton tea towel, printed with a letter of your choice. The graphic will match the letter, as per the example. Selling price: R130 Visit www.lovelettersstationery.co.za
Natural Paper & Leather Sling Bag Classic, stylish and practical! Our handy messenger bag keeps everything in order and keeps you looking good. This bag is made from recycled paper coated to be water resistant. With genuine African leather straps and detailing. Selling price: R920 Visit www.thewrendesign.com
Bootlegger Blend Coffee Beans 1kg I love this coffee! Visit them online and get the beans delivered to your door. Selling price: R290 Visit www.bootlegger.co.za
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Please note: prices may change.
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THINGS WE LOVE
How We Found You by J.T. Lawrence Would you sacrifice your son to save your daughter? There’s something different about Kate’s four-yearold son. He wasn’t created the old fashioned way. Now a violent cult wants him dead and Kate will do anything to protect him – until they take her daughter. Visit www.pulpbooks.wordpress.com
Bodum Kenya French Press / Coffee Plunger Where this modern French Press differs from its predecessors is in its stylish black plastic frame which looks good while also serving more practical purposes. It provides some protection for the glass beaker against knocks while also insulating the bottom to prevent scorching of the surface it rests on. Selling price: R389 Visit capecoffeebeans.co.za
Little Bear Rug Lovingly hand crocheted from locally produced spaghetti yarn this sweet little rug is the perfect addition to any nursery or childs room. Selling price: R750 Available at www.ollypolly.co.za
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Please note: prices may change.
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THINGS WE LOVE Butternut Betty
Roasted Butternut, Macadamia Nuts and Roma Tomatoes; Feta, Lentils and Rocket* with Classic Dressing Perfect for those on a vegetarian diet who are trying to get their daily dose of protein. And besides their notable health benefits, they are just delicious coated in dressing and tossed in a salad. Yum Selling price: R65 Visit www.jarbar.co.za
Darling Brew Wooden Box Purchase your very own Darling Brew branded boxes that can be found at the Darling Brew Tasteroom and Brewery made by Edmund, a local artisan in Darling who according to Kevin Wood, Darling Brew founder, is the go-to guy when you want something crafted from virtually any material and turned into a work of functional art. Visit www.darlingbrew.co.za
Love Cat Enamel Pin - Ginger Love is a cat. High quality die-cast pin in gunmetal metal with 4 colour enamel fill, with black rubber clutches. Visit www.etsy.com/shop/GhostGoodsCo
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THINGS WE LOVE Shapes Shoulder Bag
Throw this bag over your shoulder for a relaxed look with a pop of a pattern. Features 100% cotton screen printed fabric bag with a silky black lining and brass zip. Genuine leather adjustable shoulder strap. Selling price: 450 Visit www.zanaproducts.co.za
Cheese and beer pairing box South Africa produces over a hundred wonderful hand made, artisanal cheeses and even more types of craft beer. This box combines 3 of the finer examples of each to showcase great South African produce. Selling price: R500 Visit www.cultureclubcheese.co.za
Mischu mini easels Mini easels created by yours truly for one of my favourite coffee shops. Show your love for Mischu. Get a coffee and at easel from their cafe in Sea Point. Visit www.mischu.co.za 85 Regent Street, Sea Point.
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LOKAL is a curated collective guide to all your favourite local brands & small businesses! #LoveLOKAL Twitter: @LOKALza Facbebook: lokalZA Website: lokalza.wordpress.com
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We visit Clay Cafe
My friend and I had been talking about going to Clay Café for months. I didn’t know much about it, other than the fact that you drink coffee and create art, but that in itself was enough to intrigue me. When my friend decided to take her mother as a birthday treat, I eagerly went with. And now, we’ve both discovered our new ‘happy place’. Clay Café is situated in the heart of Hout Bay. It’s a big place, but constantly busy. So make sure you book ahead of time. It’s the perfect place to have a party or just visit with friends and family. If it were nearer, I’d probably visit every week. Note to self: move to Hout Bay. If you don’t feel like partaking in the craft side of things, you can simply enjoy a breakfast or lunch, or eat from their delicious looking desserts. We had lunch and coffee, but the cakes looked delicious. Or, if you’re anything like me, you can eat, drink AND create some art. It’s R35 for the experience, which includes three different paint colours of your choice, as well as the firing and glazing process. How much you spend on the item is up to you, and products range from R20 to R250. There is a wide variety of items to choose from, and after walking around for some time I decided to choose the piggy bank. Once I’d chosen my item, let’s call
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. . . my happy place. him Mr P, it was back to our table to start painting.
I felt like a child again. No wonder I used to be so happy when I was younger. As an adult I’ve forgotten all about how much I love craft work, and after two hours of painting and talking, I felt calm and creatively satisfied. Once you’re done, the clay items get taken away to be glazed. This process takes up to three weeks which means you don’t get to take home your product straight away. It does, however, mean that you get to go back again. We’re going back soon, and we’re staying to paint something new. We’ll have to go back in three weeks to collect that one. And we might as well stay to paint some more. And so the cycle continues . . . Every three weeks at Clay Café? My inner child is cheering. Hout Bay, Main Road. Opposite Bokkemanskloof Estate. 021 - 790 3318 | www.claycafe.co.za
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We chat to the founder of Wren. “Products for a practical purpose.” www.thewrendesign.com
Take us back, how and why did you decide to start Wren? I started Wren because I really hated my job as a textile designer for a large fashion manufacturer. A friend taught me to blog one day and another day a friend introduced me to Etsy. A few days later I decided to give the world of handmade online a go and handed in my resignation.
how I came to use paper is just that: One day I was driving behind a truck, admiring the designs on the tightly-packed cement bags; then later, buying ballet shoes I learnt how satin fabric is bonded for strength. Just two everyday events. Until – months down the line – in a sort of Eureka moment, I fused cement packaging paper to the fabric I had recently been introduced to and it worked. Then I tried to sew it and that worked as well! This is really the moment that Wren began!
It took quite some time for me to develop what is now our unique product offering: sewn, dura- Tell us about the products. ble recycled paper products. I believe that life is a connection of experiences and the story of We take recycled paper, fuse it to be durable and then coat it to be water-resistant. We hand www.flatwhiteconcepts.com | Issue 44
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cut everything (with a pair of scissors) and stitch they have tried it, they always come back to tell with a sewing machine. Each product is touched us how much they love our product and how by a minimum of 5 people in the process from long it has lasted. cutting to quality checking and packing. We produce products for a practical purpose. We Tell me a bit more about your team. call them lifestyle accessories: laptop sleeves, iPad mini covers, laptop bags, backpacks > all out Our team is less conventional than it appears. We have a studio but production is outsourced of paper and all eco-friendly. to teams of sewers who we have empowered to set up independently. We offer them the security What was the reaction like at first of work with the luxury to work from home. This and how have you grown since? way they earn more as they do not have high transport expenses. They also have more family I remember showing my step dad my first “sewn time which is important, especially in a femalepaper bag”. He didn’t think it was great. My mom dominant industry. nodded encouragingly (more used to my unusual creative ideas from student days). Most people OUT OF THE STUDIO thought it was interesting - this is the polite way of saying “What the hell?!”. There is Fatima and Zurina who have worked for WREN from day two (day one I sewed everything) Today, with washable paper widely known in the in 2008. They sew! EU it is less shocking. People are still very skeptical when you tell them that the product is made There is Henri, Leanne, Lexi and Audrey who make from REAL paper and that it is durable but once up a small home-based factory with dreams to
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grow. They cut and sew products for us and have I am Wendren who started the business. I am a creative who loves systems and organization. I great capacity potential. wear a lot of hats including lecturer part time for Roger is a very talented tailor who sews sleeves design students at a local university. for us when he is not making amazing suit jackets out of our paper. Most popular product to date? AT OUR STUDIO
Flying Fox 13” Laptop Sleeve Moths Indigo & Gold Mini sleeves There is Yvonne who is our studio superstar. She Surebuild PPC Laptop Bag has been working with us at the studio (which used to be a bedroom, then a garage, then a room and now a 150sq studio). She packs “order If you could describe Wren in three packs” that go out to the various sewers to stitch. words what would they be? New to our team is Fernanda. She is a studio Fun. Hectic. Paper. whizz who manages stock and out going orders. There is Mel who manages the virtual desk of Wren - emails, invoices, online shop etc.
Where can we buy your products?
www.thewrendesign.com (free local shipping) Or at our shop: The Collective at the Watershed Jeremy is our self proclaimed CAO (Coffee & AcV&A Waterfront, Cape Town. quisitions Officer). There is nobody who knows our product better and believes in it more!
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365 day project with Charlie Foxtrot Illustration If you’re not following Coral-Leigh’s amazing 365 day project this year, you should be. I caught up with her to find out a bit more about this mammoth task . . .
What prompted you to start a 365 day project?
Can people buy these?
I actually wonder about this myself most days. I truly have no idea, I've only ever managed to finish one full "drawing a day for a month" attempt and here I go chasing after an entire year!
They can yes although I don't know if people other than myself actually hang random art on their walls anymore so Charlie and Beastie will be available on other products as of July for those who would rather buy a mug, bag or pretty stationary set than a piece of paper.
Tell me a bit more about Charlie and Beastie. Charlie came about during a really rough time, I was working a stressful corporate job and I found myself drawing her every time things got particularly bad and I guess she sort of stayed. Charlie has taken on a life of her own since then, she's talked about as if she were an actual person in our house. Beastie, he's happier I think, he brings a sense of childlike wonder and hope. He came about because I found an old art project I did in school; a book made up of ragdoll inspired fanciful beasts (yes I was and still am a Harry Potter geek) and the first page I opened up to was Beastie. I added him to one drawing and like Charlie he sort of just stayed. There are actually a few other characters that go with Charlie that I've kept to myself. Each a depiction of a different emotion and mental health diagnosis'. I'm considering introducing them throughout the project because they are in the book but I'm not certain as of yet.
What medium do you create in?
On average, how long does each one take you? This is a rather difficult question as they really do vary depending on 1) the detail and 2) my attention span and mood. I'd say if I had to really average it out it would be between 2 and 3 hours. The rough draft/concept sketch is usually what takes the most time.
How do you stay motivated? I have insomnia so I have a few more hours in a day than most people but there are days that I really do have to force myself to stick with it and I've nearly bailed several times but then I get an email or private message from a stranger thanking me for letting them know that they aren't alone and that it's okay for them to feel what they're feeling or just that what I posted is exactly what they needed to hear. That keeps me pushing on for another day.
Do you have a favourite yet? Has there been one in particular that others have liked best?
A lot of them are very personal and I think those Watercolour and ink. It's funny really because stand out to me. I think the most popular so far I used to hate both and now I'm most comfort- was the Star Wars one and more recently the able with them. blanket and pillow fort ones. www.flatwhiteconcepts.com | Issue 44
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in my pandori and if inspiration strikes I'll use it and thank the person for the suggestion but I no In the beginning a lot of the illustrations were longer do personalised 365 pieces, for that they'd birthday requests as I thought it would make need to inquire separately as a private client. thinking of ideas easier but I realised it wasn't working. It was too much pressure trying to Follow her on Instagram: please others with this project AND still give my private clients the attention they pay for at www.instagram.com/charliefoxtrotillustration the same time. So while I do still accept suggestions they are mostly added to the ideas booklet
Can people put forward suggestions?
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create I’m obsessed with this brand! I had to find out more! We chat to Cecile Benade . . .
Tell me more about the company
eyes are especially important so I spend a lot of time on them. They are then screen printed, I have always loved making stuff, ever since I stuffed and sewn up. was a child. But my career took a long detour through Graphic design, Animation and the Film Have you always been in the design business? Industry until I came full circle back to making stuff. I love stalking home tours on interiors I have a BA in Fine Art and Graphic Design, and sites, and it seems like there is always a cute most of my life I have been working in various pooch or kitty that makes any house a home. Creative industries, with the exception of teachSo my animal cushion range came about as a ing 2 years of Kindergarten in Taiwan! tongue-in-cheek solution for those of us who What else do you do? can't have pets. Tell us about the name
I am a mom to two kids who are my inspiration for everything I do and the reason for everything ‘Ménagerie’ is a word of French origin used to I don't do! I also have a range of dolls and softies describe collections of animals that ancient ex- which are getting a lot of attention. plorers would bring back from distant lands in the age of seafaring exploration. It was an early Most popular product at the moment? version of a zoo if you like, but now it is used to describe any odd collection of beings, which The pug cushions are selling like hot cakes. Fifi makes it the perfect name for my cushions, dolls the Franch bulldog is always a firm favourite as well as Molly the cat. My pyjama bunnies always and softies. sell out as soon as I make a batch. How are the cushions made? Tell me about your team I make the design by manipulating photographs and changing them into a bitmap image. The I do all the designing of products and packaging, www.flatwhiteconcepts.com | Issue 44
the marketing, management and admin for the business. I outsource the sewing of the cushions and the screen printing, and I have a helper who helps me among other things with stuffing the dolls and softies.
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Where are you based and how can we order?
I am based in Woodstock in Cape Town, and people can contact me directly at cecile@andmenagerie.co.za. They can shop online at www. hellopretty/menagerie or through my Etsy store internationally. My cushions and goods are also Do you create any custom orders? available at various stores in and around Cape Unfortunately that is not a service that I provide Town and South Africa, and a list can be found for the animal cushions for reasons of quality on my website. control and cost effectiveness, but I do make www.andmenagerie.co.za custom softies for people occasionally!
WIN A PUG CUSHION! SEE THE COMPETITION PAGES FOR MORE.
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The Lodge at Atlantic Beach
Melkbosstrand is one of our favourite parts of Cape Town. It has that laid back beach vibe that an ex-Durbanite like ourselves finds so appealing. This week we were lucky enough to stay at The Lodge at Atlantic Beach, in the heart of Melkbos, for some rest and relaxation. It’s been a busy week, so the idea of switching my work off and putting my feet up was a welcome relief. The Lodge has 20 luxurious rooms to choose from, which includes a continental and hot breakfast. As a guest of the Lodge you are able to make full use of the restaurant and amenities at the Atlantic Beach Golf Club, including their private leisure club which offers tennis, swimming, gym, the spa and the beauty salon. On the last Tuesday of the month the clubhouse is closed to the public, which happened to be the night that we were staying. In a way, this turned out to be a good thing, because it allowed us to get out and explore Melkbos a bit more. Just down the road from The Lodge is the main road in Melkbos, which offers a wide variety of shops, restaurants and cafes to choose from. After a walk on the beach, we made our way to I Love Melkies for a few glasses of wine (buy one get one free wine carafe on a Tuesday afternoon). We ordered pizza to go, and enjoyed it in the comfort of our room at The Lodge. I’m all about convenience, so The Lodge was the perfect place for me. You really feel like you’ve gone away, but everything you need is right at your fingertips. The beach at your doorstep, the view of Table Mountain out your window, and the vast expanse of rolling greens around you. Of course, if golf is your thing, you’ve come to the right place. The best part about staying at The Lodge is that you can bring your entire family with you and www.flatwhiteconcepts.com | Issue 44
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know that they are having a great time while you’re out on the golf course all day. This is a multi-faceted golf resort that caters for the needs of everyone in the family. This 18 hole golf course is a great way to spend your day, with the view of Table Mountain in front of you, and the option of sleeping over at The Lodge once you’re finished. Make a trip out of it. Combine your stay at The Lodge with a West Coast darling road trip for some wine tasting at Ormonde Wine Estate, a beer tasting at Darling Brew or a wander around the Darling Museum. Add a West Coast safari with a game drive, archery and a self-guided nature walk at Thali Thali. Or turn it into a foodie road trip and visit Russells on the Port for lunch and cocktails overlooking the Port Owen Marina. Visit www.westcoastway.co.za for more information on the best #westcoastway experiences. Want to book yourself and your family into The Lodge at Atlantic Beach? Visit www.thelodgeatatlanticbeach.co.za or call them on 021 – 553 4653 By Christine Bernard Photos by Warren Bernard www.flatwhiteimages.com
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www.flatwhiteconcepts.com | Issue 44
Darling Lodge I’ve been to Darling a few times, but always for day trips. But now that I’ve discovered Darling Lodge Guest House, I think I might visit more often, and stay for longer stretches at a time. It’s nice to have a place to rest your head, after exploring all that Darling has to offer. And, for a small town, it offers more than you’d imagine. We were greeted by the lovely, Stephan, owner of the lodge, who made us feel immediately welcome in the beautifully restored Victorian country home. The main house offers three country-style rooms, while a further three rooms can be found in the garden annex. Each room is dedicated to a local artist, whose work is on display and can be purchased. This is something I loved most about my stay in Darling – there’s a sense of community where everyone enjoys showcasing each other’s talents. Our room was beautiful. The patio was covered in bougainvillea, aloes and vines, which made it look like a cottage right out of a fairytale. And when the storm took out the electricity for a while, we sat inside with our lanterns, which added to the fairytale feel. The room was clean and comfortable, with a big bed, tea/coffee making facilities, and a generous sized bathroom (I’ll take that shower home please). We were welcomed with little Darling toffees on our bed, and Stephan took his time to take us through the most interesting things to do in the area. It’s these small details that always impress me when I go away. Dinner and lunch can be organised by prior arrangement with the owner, and a generous breakfast is served each morning. Which, after a previous night of wine tasting at Ormonde Wine Estate, we were looking forward to. The breakfast room was one of the happiest rooms I’d ever seen, with its bright yellow wall, its fireplace, and the array of food and drinks on offer. The first thing we did was make ourselves a cup of coffee from the pod machine. We could choose between the stronger cof-
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fee and the milder version. Guess which we chose? After that, we had an assortment of cereals, cheese, fruit and yoghurt to enjoy, while Stephan made us a hot breakfast of our choice. After a hearty breakfast of eggs and bacon, we took a stroll through the area. The lodge is situated right in the heart of Darling, which made it easy to walk from one place to the next. We ambled through the streets, taking photos and enjoying the warm morning. Stephan gave us a map which highlighted all the different amenities on offer from cafes to book shops to museums to wine estates, and much more. Stephan was on hand to answer any questions and to point us in the right direction. But, if you’re looking to explore Darling in four days, their website has the perfect itinerary to make sure you don’t miss a thing. Visit http://www.darlinglodge. co.za/4-days and start planning. Thank you to Darling Lodge for making our stay such a happy one. Details: 22 Pastorie Street, Darling. 022 492 3062 www.darlinglodge.co.za Words by Christine Bernard. Photos by Warren Bernard www.flatwhiteimages.com Article written for West Coast Way www.westcoastway.co.za
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“West Coast Twist”
July school holidays - the Cape West Coast offers the perfect family getaway The “twists”, or loops, on this road trip each feature their own variety of carefully chosen attractions, which fall within themed routes: included is the West Coast Way Scenic Route, the West Coast Way Berg Route, the West Coast Way FoodThe good news for Capetonians is that there are ie Route, the West Coast Way Cultural Route – as many great family friendly destinations and ac- well as the newly launched West Coast Way Wild tivities available on your doorstep that are well Route. worth visiting over the holidays – so why not take a road trip and go exploring. You can take a Visitors can choose as many or as few of these twists as they want, and can mix and match the day excursion or plan to stay longer. stops along the various different routes – tailor making a road trip (or “West Coast Twist’) that Go road-tripping – take a “West Coast Twist” perfectly suites ones time constraints, budgets, A unique new road trip, called the Roadtrip With interests etc. The Most Twists has been launched by West Coast Way which showcases the many exciting, Things to see and do fun and educational destinations and activities on the Cape West Coast and its immediate sur- The list of things to see and do whilst exploring the West Coast Twist is almost endless: rounds. The school holidays are on our doorstep and many of us are feeling tired and need a break. Plus the idea of having bored kids at home for weeks on end does not appeal!
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Visit the fossils at the West Coast Fossil Park; go zip-lining or target shooting at the Piekenierskloof Mountain Lodge; take a game drive or some archery lessons at the Thali Thali game reserve; taste wine at many different wine cellars such as Darling’s Ormonde Private Cellar; do some beer tasting at Darling Brew craft brewery; go oyster tasting at Protea Hotel Saldanha Bay; enjoy a meal with a spectacular view at Langebaan’s famous Club Mykonos restaurants, or treat yourself to some fine-dining at establishments such as Russells on the Port and the Blue Bay Lodge; learn all about the San and do a San Guided Tour at !Khwa ttu; play golf at The Lodge at Atlantic Beach; go birdwatching; visit a myriad of museums like Darling Museum; and farm stalls like Kardoesie Country Stop and Vygevallei Farm Stall and Wine House.
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BOOK FOR 2 NIGHTS AND GET A THIRD NIGHT FREE
There is currently a great special running on certain accommodation options called the “3 for 2 West Coast Twist Special” where if you book for 2 week nights you get the 3rd consecutive night free (not valid over weekends). Perfect for these school holidays! Participating venues include the Piekenierskloof Mountain Resort and Kardoesie Country Stop on the N7 in the Piekenierskloof Pass; Russells on the Port at Port Owen in Velddrif; the Thali Thali Game Lodge in Langebaan; Blue Bay Lodge in Saldanha Bay; !Khwa ttu in the Darling/Yzerfontein vicinity; The Lodge at Atlantic Beach in Melkbosstrand, Darling Lodge in Darling and Disa Lodge, also in Darling.
With over 101 things to see and do in the area (find this list on www.westcoastway.co.za) there To qualify for this special call or email these esis something for everyone on SA’s Road Trip with tablishments and quote ‘West Coast Twist’. the Most Twists and it is easy to see why you ideFor more information on SA’s Road Trip With The Most Twists, ally need a few days to explore the many attrac- the list of 101 Things to Do on the West Coast, and the special accommodation offer visit www.westcoastway.co.za or call tions in the area! West Coast Way on 0861 321 777. Connect on Facebook and Twitter at WestCoastWaySA.
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Comp 1
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Win a Postscript Mini Sleeve from Wren www.thewrendesign.com
HOW TO ENTER: Email your name and contact details to christine@flatwhiteconcepts.com with the subject line: ‘Wren’ Winner announced: End July Postscript Mini Sleeve : When you obey all the rules you miss all the fun. (Audrey Hepburn) Apple iPad mini sleeve, kindle cover or clutch bag made out of recycled paper. It’s fused for strength, padded to protect and coated to be water resistant. There is something about the feel of a natural texture like that of paper. It is calming, reassuring and warm. Technology on the other hand is hard, shiny and demanding – even if the corners are rounded and it offers the tools to make our lives simpler. How do we make them? Recycled brown paper is collected from a local packaging factory. This is then hand stamped. The stamped paper is then fused to a special cotton to make it strong enough to stitch. Once made up by our team of very skilled seamstresses the sleeve is sprayed with Nano Liquid Glass to be water resistant. And there is more: 1) There is a pocket-sleeve tucked under the flap, in front of the main pocket, to give you a place for cables, papers or your stylus. 2) The sleeve closes with two magnets that wont damange your device. 3) You can take a kooki or sharpie to your sleeve and personalise it! Each Sleeve measures : 33x22x1cm www.flatwhiteconcepts.com | Issue 44
Comp 2
Win a pug cushion from Menagerie.
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HOW TO ENTER: Find this image on our Instagram page: www.instagram.com/flatwhitepics and tell me why you love this cushion. Make sure to follow www.instagram.com/cecile.and.menagerie too. Winner announced: End July
www.andmenagerie.co.za Menagerie is a collection of quirky but ever-so-handsome animal cushions and posh softies for your home. The cushions are screen printed by hand in dark grey water-based ink on thick 100% cotton cream fabric with a lovely linen texture. They are backed in cotton twill in a soft stone color. They are plushly stuffed with unicurl for maximum cuddles and great recovery, and have a woven label sewn into the side. The designs are chosen and developed for their character and new designs are added all the time!
www.flatwhiteconcepts.com | Issue 44
Comp 3
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Win a heritage wine tasting for two at Ormonde
What you get: The Heritage Collection as well as the Barrel Selection This includes the double platinum Ormonde Shiraz! HOW TO ENTER: Email your name and contact details to christine@flatwhiteconcepts.com with the subject line: ‘Ormonde’ Winners announced: End July
www.ormonde.co.za Ormonde Private Cellar is situated on the West Coast of South Africa, where the rugged Darling hills roll and fall along the contours of a ancient granite intrusion. These molten rocks, forced from the earth to 300m above sea level, guard the Atlantic Ocean while banks of fog roll to the foot of the hills, blessing the vineyard with coolness and moisture.
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Comp 4
Win a personalised travel mug from Love Letters Stationery.
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White ceramic travel mug, and rubber lid, personalised with a design of your choice. HOW TO ENTER: Email your name and contact details to christine@flatwhiteconcepts.com with the subject line: ‘Love Letters’ Entries close: End June
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Do you want to advertise with us? Email Christine on christine@flatwhiteconcepts.com
www.flatwhiteconcepts.com | Issue 44