LIFESTYLE

THE heartwarming STORY of Daru Fouchè Daru Fouchè, diagnosed with clear cell sarcoma, had always dreamed of flying in a helicopter. When he was three years old, his dream was fulfilled thanks to the Reach For a Dream Foundation. We got the full story on his dream that came true.

HOW DID YOU PLAN TO EMBELLISH THE DREAM/ MAKE THE DAY SPECIAL? We embellished the day by packing a picnic lunch for him to enjoy with his parents afterwards and he was able to go into the hanger and look at all the aircraft and take pics with his parents. TELL US ABOUT THE DAY? Daru is the cutest most energetic little guy you will ever meet. His biggest dream was to fly in a helicopter. It is all he ever talks about. So, when we arrived at Westline Aviation he was super excited and couldn’t wait to get inside the helicopter and take off. He ran ahead of all of us toward the helicopter exclaiming in delight all the way. After posing for a few pics with mom and dad and the pilot, it was time to take off. Christelle from Westline Aviation was the pilot for the day and helped Daru into the front seat of the helicopter. Nothing could wipe the smile off his face. While his dad climbed into the back seat, Daru ‘helped’ his pilot do all the pre-flight checks before it was time to take off. The wonderful people from Westline flew Daru over Bloem for almost 30 minutes and showed him all the sights before coming to land so mom could have a turn to fly too. Daru chattered away to the Pilot the whole way and marveled at everything. He couldn’t believe that his dream had finally come true. We had all been so worried that he would be scared but honestly, he is the bravest little threeyear-old I have ever met, and he wasn’t even a little scared. He was completely and utterly overjoyed. When they landed for the last time and Daru got out, he jumped up and down with glee and giggled in absolute delight before making a beeline for me and jumped into my arms hugging me tight. He thanked me for making his dream come true and told me that it was the best thing ever and how much he loved the whole experience. It was such a beautiful dream that I will remember forever. The smile on his face makes everything so worthwhile.

Lifestyle news hot off the press THE HOT LIST lifestyle  LOVES

Achieving Instagrammable décor just got a whole lot easier thanks to Block Basics, an online home and décor website. The site is curated by the same people who brought us premium home interiors brand Block & Chisel and aims to give shoppers the chance to buy fresh, contemporary and accessible furniture pieces at the touch of a button. The user-friendly website is not only great for shopping but is also guaranteed to give you major inspiration for styling your home. K www.blockbasics.co.za

SMITHS GIN BRINGS OUT LIMITED EDITION GIN-FILLED FLASKS

Homegrown gin brand, Smiths Gin will be releasing a limited edition, reusable range of metal flasks filled with their award-winninggin. The aim is to tap into South Africa’s ‘cooler box culture’ and has amazing features like a lid which also doubles as acup –not to mention the easy-to-pour click-sprout, which ensures that not even a drop is wasted when pouring! The flasks will be available in a number of bright and funky designs from Norman Goodfellows, Takealot and other select retailers as of April and pre-orders can be placed with Norman Goodfellows from March. K www.smithsginza.co.za

YSL UNVEILS A BRAND-NEW FRAGRANCE

Hello Joburg • March 2020 • www.hellojoburg.co.za 8 Yves Saint Laurent has a brand-new fragrance called Libre –French for ‘free’ –a feminine scent that plays with ideas of freedom. Libre is the product of 15,000 variations and seven years of collaboration between master perfume makers, Anne Flipo and Carlos Benaïm and has top notes of mandarin orange, lavender and blackcurrant, which are undercut by base notes of Madagascan vanilla and musk. The fresh lavender is the ingredient that gives Libre its edge, as lavender is typically associated with more masculine fragrances. The bottle embodies the main theme of the scent and features the YSL sign tipped on its side, while the trim geometric lines echo those of a tailored suit. Available from Edgars, Truworths, Foschini and Woolworths. K www.yslbeauty.com

SORBET SALON PRO HAND CREAMS ARE HERE!

Sorbet has just brought out a deliciously rich line of hand creams that are made specially for dry, chapped and mature hands. The range includes six new products, all formulated with specialised ingredients such asQ10, collagenandtissue oil, makingthem ideal for those longing for moisture and glow. One of the standout releases from the line includes the Salon Pro Conditioning Hand and Nail Treatment, which contains active peptides and ceramides. The products are now available at Sorbet salons and selected Sorbet Drybars nationwide and we cannot wait to get our hands on them! K www.sorbet.co.za

ATRIUM RESTAURANT HAS A NEW SUMMER MENU

Summertime dining has just got even more exciting with the launch of Atrium restaurant at InterContinental Johannesburg’s new menu. The restaurant now has an expanded salad selection, which includes spinach and chicken liver crème caramel and port reduction and chicken, halloumi and avocado salad as well as a variety of new pastas like potato gnocchi with safe beurre noisette and roast vegetable and spinach and cheese ravioli. For mains, think dishes like lamb trio, herb crusted salmon and grilled prawns. Of course, the dessert menu has also had a refresh with the addition of chocolate torte, lemon cheesecake and milk tart. 1 www.tsogosun.com

lifestyle JOBURG People of Genevieve Pearson

Previously known as the Crowne Plaza Johannesburg - The Rosebank, Southern Sun Rosebank is now open. The hotel has recently been rebranded by Tsogo Sun Hotels and has been modelled after their highly successful Southern Sun properties. Among the areas to be refurbished are the reception, lobby and Circle Bar. Other additions include the opening of The Grill Jichana, a new restaurant that servesflame-grilledpremiumcutsflavoured with tastes of the African East Coast spice route. The rest of the refurbishment, including that of the bedrooms, will take place over thecourse ofthisyearand2021 withlittle todisruptiontohoteloperations. 1 www.tsogosun.com INTRODUCING SOUTHERN SUN ROSEBANK

The new Nutri-Elixir line from Mavala focuses on skin elasticity and aims to give skin back its bounce and comfort. There are three new products in the range, including the Essential Serum, Anti-Age Nutrition Ultimate Cream and Anti-Age Nutrition Absolute Night Balm. The Essential Serum is an all-in-one serum that is non-greasy and aims to soothe and hydrate even mature skin, while the Anti-Age Nutrition Ultimate Cream is an oil-cream that melts into the skin leaving a light, soft and protective film and nourishing the face. Enriched with coconut oil, the Anti-Age Nutrition Absolute Night Balm is guaranteed to re-plump the skin. All of the products contain SwissLinseedOil,whichisparticularlyrichinomega3,6and9and is therefore ideal for injecting moisture and elasticity into the skin. 1 www.mavalaskinsolution.com MAVALA EXPANDS THEIR SKINCARE OFFERING

Compiled by Amber Richardson Image Supplied Premium drinks company, Truman and Orange has added yet another stunninggintotheircollection–AnDúlamánIrishMaritime Gin. This unique drink has been produced on the Donegal Coast in Ireland and is made from a combination of five locally harvested seaweeds and six botanicals creating a spirit that captures both the taste of fresh juniper and the warmth of umami. This exciting new gin is packaged in a luxurious bottle that features Celtic lettering on the front and colours that are reminiscent of the mountains found along the Donegal coast. Plus, each bottle has a batch number that is linked to the lunar phases. 1 www.trumanandorange.com AN DÚLAMÁN IRISH MARITIME GIN IS NOW AVAILABLE IN SA

Genevieve Pearson, affectionately known as Genna, is somewhat of an adventurist. She’s climbed mountains, run marathons and now she’s the owner of Hotpod Yoga in Linden and Melrose. We caught up with her to get the lowdown on this new, exciting form of exercise. K www.hotpodyoga.com E @hotpodyogajohannesburg Q @hotpodyogajoburg

How long have you been practising yoga and what drew you to it initially? Since 2005 – I started doing yoga at my local gym in the UK because it looked so relaxing. Soon after, I was hooked! Explain the concept around Hotpod Yoga. Hotpod Yoga is an accessible yoga practised in a funky setting with numerous health benefits. It’s basically flow yoga in a heated environment. The structure of the yoga classes we teach makes it possible for students of all levels to participate. How did you get involved in Hotpod Yoga? I was looking to expand the offering of my studio, Yoga Warrior, by introducing hot yoga when I came across Hotpod Yoga. While reviewing the logistics of opening a branch, the then owner Daniella told me she was emigrating and that I could buy the Linden, Joburg franchise from her, which we did in January 2018. We opened a second branch in Melrose four months later. Why should people try Hotpod Yoga? The heat adds a whole new dimension to the yoga – you can stretch a lot more with less risk of injury, and the cardio workout helps with building fitness and endurance so it’s a fantastic complement to any sports activity. The cocoon-like pod transports you away from the world outside so you can really tune into your body with no distractions and come out with a happy, sweaty smile!! Other than yoga, what are your passions? My husband and son, extreme adventures, photography, cooking, travel, dogs and wine. Where can we find you on a day off? The Wilds or the Johannesburg Botanical Garden overlooking the Emmarentia Dam – anywhere there’s nature and where the dogs and my toddler can run around! What’s your favourite hidden gem in Joburg? Chef Micky’s Private Dining – a Thai restaurant at 102 Corlett Drive. It’s beneath our Melrose branch. Micky is a high-profile chef and sought-after caterer, and her food is exquisite.

Hello Joburg • March 2020 • www.hellojoburg.co.za 9