BLUE HILLS EQUESTRIAN ESTATE | AUGUST 2019

FEATUR ES 19 34 30

C R EAT E A M OR NING R OUT IN E IM PR OVE YOUR W O R K H E A LTH T HE VA S T KA R OO T HR OUG H T HE EY E S O F A N A RTI S T

EQUESTRIAN

living

IS S U E 4 | AU G U ST 2 0 1 9

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M AK E AN E N T RAN CE : FABU L O U S F O YE R FADS

Disclaimer: This e-Magazine is produced especially for residents/owners of Blue Hills Equestrian Estate to provide updates and useful information. It is produced

by K-Studio on behalf of Blue Hills Equestrian Estate HOA. Although every effort is taken to ensure accuracy of content, Blue Hills Equestrian Estate HOA and/or the Publisher, cannot be held liable for any inaccurate information, and may not agree with all opinions expressed in this publication.

Follow Us On @KSDigitalPublishing @ksdigitalpublishing

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ESTATE NEWS BLUE H I L L S E q u e strian Estate

IT’S OUR 4th BIRTHDAY 7 SEP | SAT | 10 AM - 5 PM

LOTS OF FUN & ENTERTAINMENT FOR ALL. LOADS OF PRIZES & GIVEAWAYS!

CNR OLIFANTSFONTEIN RD & AFRICAN VIEW DR, MIDRAND | 011 318 0031 FIND US ON FACEBOOK @BLUEHILLSSHOPPING 2019 • I SSUE 4 4

ESTATE NEWS

From The

BLUE H I LLS E qu e st r i a n E st a t e

Estate Manager’s Desk I would like to take the time to introduce myself…

My name is Rashni Andhee-Shah, the newly appointed Estate Manager for Blue Hills Country and Equestrian Estate. I have previous experience in estate management as well as corporate experience. I am a people’s person and enjoy project management. Since Blue Hills Country and Equestrian Estate is in its early developmental stage, I am looking forward to my tenure here with many projects on the horizon. But most importantly I also look forward to meeting the lovely owners of this beautiful estate.

As development progresses through the Estate, it is important for both owners and contractors to endeavor to preserve the current wildlife and natural horticulture within the Estate and to promote the lifestyle of the Estate in the process. I believe in quality of life, more especially family life and will do my best to improve your experience at the Estate while still living in the confines of a gated community.

Winter is by no means over but as we head deeper into August, nearing spring, things will start to look a lot more greener. But who are we kidding? Living in Blue Hills Equestrian Estate is gorgeous any season of the year. None the less enjoy this final month of taking things easier and start planning those new projects and endeavours spring are so ideal for.

You can contact me on rashnia@trafalgar.co.za or 010 109 0935.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Rashni 5 ISSU E 4 • 20 19

ESTATE NEWS BLUE H I L L S E q u e strian Estate

IMPORTANT INFORMATION & CONTACTS

BLUE HILLS EQUESTRIAN ESTATE MANAGEMENT BODY

THE BOARD IS MADE UP OF: • • • • • • •

Andile Mtetwa Heather Bowes Jessica Hofmeyr John Frayne Nick Crow Obakeng Mathibe Ugesparan Govender

The Blue Hills Equestrian Estate management body has been developed to ensure that should you have a query or wish to address anything on the Estate, we have a team of individuals you can refer your concerns to. This committee goes beyond our THE COMMITTEE IS SUPPORTED BY monthly Directors’ Meetings, and is instead aimed TRAFALGAR WHO ARE REPRESENTED BY: at ensuring that the running of this Estate is handled • Michael Schaefer / Director of Trafalgar with all due care.

• Shahiem Carr / Director of Trafalgar • Brendan Beech / Estate Portfolio Manager • Rashni Andhee-Shah / Estate Manager • Head office support Birdhaven

ESTATE MANAGER Rashni Andhee-Shah 010 109 0935 SALES MANAGER Musi Motsuenyane 082 806 1735 / musi@century.co.za SECURITY SITE MANAGER 076 771 9082/ 061 704 0111 Bluehills@thompsec.co.za EMERGENCY Eskom 086 0037 566 JHB Water 0860 562 874 Police 10111 Ambulance 10177 SPCA 011 265 9935 SNAKE CATCHER Mike 083 448 8854

2019 • I SSUE 4 6

BOOST YOUR BUSINESS & REACH YOUR TARGET

ADVERTISE YOUR BUSINESS IN OUR NEXT ISSUE e tobia@k-studio.co.za

ESTATE NEWS BLUE H I LLS E qu e st r i a n E st a t e

from the Sales Manager Blue Hills Equestrian Estate 88% sold Blue Hills Equestrian Estate is the epitome of country living and provides the opportunity to build your dream family home in a secure environment away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

The remaining 18 stands available sell from R3,45mil and range from 5,000m² - 15,000m² which are the largest upmarket properties in the area. If you have been considering investing, your timing could not be better to secure your dream property as there is limited stock.

Regards, Mmusi Motsuenyane | 082 806 1735 | musi@century.co.za

132 - Total stands 114 - Sold stands 18 - Available stands 22 - Completed homes 28 - Homes under construction

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ESTATE NEWS BLUE H I L L S E q u e strian Estate

BUILDING RULES

• A toilet must be in place before any work commences.

• Water meter must be in place and switched on before any work can commence.

• A rough sketch of the layout of the house must be available before work commences.

• Green fence 1.8m high with 80% density must be erected around the fence line using steel poles only.

The poles must not be higher than the fence line.

• The fence must be of Agricultural make only.

• The fence line must have five (5) rows of mesh wire holding the fence in place.

• The fence must have a locked gate in place to seal off the yard after hours.

• The contractor’s sign must be viewable at all times and must also indicate the site number.

• Generator onsite when needed.

• Shed in place within the fence line at all times.

• Bin / Chicken mesh within the yard to store all rubble.

• OHS file to be on site always.

• Workers to wear clothing with company name / logo for identification purposes.

• Workers are not to loiter to other sites.

• First Aider to be on site at all times.

• Cement box for mixing.

• Copy of deposit slip for pavement deposit required.

• A copy of the builders NHBRC. A copy of the approved plan • No delivery trucks longer than 9.1m • Security or the Estate Manager must be made aware of deliveries.

• No truck will be allowed on-site without pre authorized delivery.

• Obey all operating times as stipulated in the contractor agreement.

Not Allowed • Use of the pavement. First 3m to be clear of building material / rubble at all times.

• The use of adjacent plots to store building material / rubble or parking of vehicles is not permitted. No parking of vehicles on the road.

• Only SABS tools / equipment allowed on site (EG: No homemade ladders allowed).

• Employees to stay within the fence line of plot working on at all times.

• No sharing of access cards.

• Contractors to enter and exit through the same gate at all times.

• Site to be left clean and tidy at the close of business each day.

• No making of fires on site.

• Ladders and equipment to be stacked correctly when

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ESTATE NEWS BLUE H I LLS E qu e st r i a n E st a t e

9 ISSU E 4 • 20 19

ESTATE NEWS BLUE H I L L S E q u e strian Estate

COMPLETE HOME AUTOMATION SAVES MORE THAN ENERGY.

Residential and Commercial Audio, Video, and Lighting Solutions

We at Automation Authority offer the ultimate smart home solutions by making the electronic components and systems you already use on a daily basis work together, seamlessly. Integration using a reliable wired and wireless infrastructure forms the “backbone” of your home; and allows all of these devices to connect and communicate with each other. The result is an intelligent and personalised experience that enhances your life for added comfort, savings, convenience and peace of mind.

Our Home Cinema Installations offer a complete solution including cinema seating, home cinema designs and layout, acoustic design and consultation, 3D design renderings, installation and programming, and the calibration of the audio-visual equipment to ensure the highest levels of performance.

Contact us to arrange a consultation to assess your automation requirements.

Juan 082 308 0809 www.automationauthority.co.za Johan 076 540 0393

Gauteng, Fourway.

Design Quarter, Shop 58 Tel: 011 465 2390

2019 • I SSUE 4 1 0

@Automation_Authority @AutomationAuthorityAfrica

DECOR & LIFESTYLE BLUE H I LLS E qu e st r i a n E st a t e

Automation Authority was founded in 2006 by owners Johan Weideman and Juan van Staden.

Johan and Juan gained experience in the Home Automation industry whilst working in London.

After living in London for five years they decided to bring their knowledge and skills back to South Africa.

In 2012, the business moved into the Dunkeld Bakos Brothers building and since then the partnership with Bakos Brothers has grown stronger.

Automation Authority currently has showrooms in Bakos Brothers Menlyn, Fourways (Design Quarter), Cape Town and soon to be Nelspruit.

systems for both existing properties and new developments.

We understand that a home is an emotional and financial investment. Therefore, we work closely with our clients, their architects and interior designers to design a custom automated solution to turn your vision into a reality. We offer the following residential solutions and so much more: Home automation/ smart home systems for large and small homes and multi-dwelling units. Multi-room audio/HD Video distribution and lighting controls.

We also have a large and ever-growing range of products and solutions catering for the commercialand hospitality industry; ranging from offices, The company’s mission for the future is to continue boardrooms, restaurants, houses of worship, delivering world-class service to clients both locally educational institutions, digital signage, staging and and internationally. Automation Authority’s clients other commercial applications. include some of the most prestigious properties and businesses in Southern Africa, with numerous awards The products we source are of the highest quality at for Cinema design and automation systems. Their each price point. We can also future-proof a home goal of a happy end-user remains constant no matter or building. We do this by integrating features that the client. are locally sourced and designed in such a way to easily allow for future upgrades. We also ensure that replacements are kept to a minimum with simplistic Residential And Commercial upgradeability. Our aim is to create a new level of Audio, Video And Lighting Solutions smart living, according to the client’s budget and Automation Authority is a leading smart home needs, we can create a flexible, modular system company based in Johannesburg and Cape Town, which can be installed to their convenience.

South Africa. We design, sell, upgrade and integrate 11 ISSU E 4 • 2019

What equipment will I need in my home?

You don’t have to worry about specific equipment.

Our trained technical/sales representatives will visit your home or site to assess your needs and advise you on what system specifications will suit your home.

Can you provide us with a full solution for our cinema needs?

Indeed we can! Our Home Cinema installations offer a complete solution including cinema seating, home cinema designs and layout, acoustic panel design and a consultation. We also do 3D design renderings, installation and programming as well as the calibration of the audio-visual equipment to ensure the highest levels of performance and cutting edge cinema technology.

To Arrange a consultation Contact Johan Tel: + 27 (0) 76 540 0393 Email: johan@automationauthority.co.za Juan Tel: + 27 (0) 82 308 0809 Email: juan@automationauthority.co.za 2019 • I SSUE 4 1 2

For all your gardening needs

Visit us at any of our Pretoria branches

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GARDENING BLUE H I L L S E q u e strian Estate

HOW TO CREATE AN INDOOR GARDEN

By SA Home Owner Online

W

hile container gardens are still a major trend, indoor gardens that are reminiscent of the 1970s-style indoor jungles are also gaining popularity once again.

As with most trends that make a comeback, this one has been streamlined to accommodate our modern lifestyles.

Instead of dedicating an entire room to creating an indoor garden, fellow green fingers have indoor plants throughout and are using them as a creative and inexpensive way to decorate.

Below are some tips to get you started on creating your own indoor garden: Get good houseplants All plants need light, water and fertiliser to grow and flourish. But some need more than others, and are often harder to care for. A good houseplant is one that is low-maintenance and durable enough to withstand a range of indoor temperatures and doesn’t need too much watering. Before starting your garden do some research on houseplants that are easier to take care of. For instance, the Peace Lily is one of the most popular houseplants, because it’s one of the easiest to keep alive ­– it only needs to be watered weekly, and continuously blooms.

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GARDENING BLUE H I LLS E qu e st r i a n E st a t e

Have a plan After doing your research, be sure to plan and prepare. Once you have selected the plants you want, calculate how much space you will need for them to grow well. For example, if you have limited space, you might want to get some suspended houseplants.

The right spot Placing houseplants in the most used room in your home is a great way to enjoy them, but regardless of the type of plants you source, they will require sunlight for optimal growth. Find sunny spots in your favourite rooms where they can catch those vital rays. But like mentioned, do some research and find out how much sunlight the plants need. Plants are usually divided into three categories: full sun (4-6 hours direct sun), medium light (2-3 hours of direct sun or 6-8 hours of bright indirect light) and lastly low light (no direct sunlight but some indirect light). Keep in mind that plants need consistent temperatures and don’t like air conditioners and heaters blowing on them.

Start with tall plants If you want to have an instant jungle feel, but don’t have much space, time or a big budget, consider getting one or two tall plants. The fiddle leaf fig tree, ferns and the spider plant are popular tall plants. Stay away from flowering plants until you get used to having an indoor garden. They can be a bit more complicated to grow.

Accessorise Have fun and style your plants like they did in the 1970s. The easiest way to do this is by putting them in some beautiful pots and placing some of them on small tables of various sizes. If you’re going for some hanging plants try placing them up at different heights to add interest and get some vintage plant hangers to frame them.

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FOOD & EVENTS BLUE H I L L S E q u e strian Estate

PUT IT IN YOUR

DIARY Saturdays & Sundays, Cowhouse Market, Saturday 31 August, Proe’toria Festival, The Hazeldean Valley Pretoria National Botanical Garden Hazeldean Valley, an old farm East of Pretoria is home to The Cowhouse Market, The Hazeldeal Brewing Co. and many great mountain bike trails. The pet-friendly market is open from 10am to 4pm and offers visitors a selection of gourmet food stalls and crafts to browse through. A large children’s play area makes it the ideal weekend destination for families too.

The fourth of its kind, Proe’toria has become an annual favourite with its exceptional food, wine, gin, craft beers and of course, great music. Watch Georgetown, Karlien van Jaarsveld, Dewald Wasserfall, Demi Lee Moore, Roan Ash and more live. It promises to be a glorious spring day out in nature!

Monday 9 August, Parklife Gourmet Food & Music Festival, Emmarentia Botanical Gardens

Spend this Women’s Day in the outdoors listening to great artists such as aKing, Janie Bay, Lady Zamar, Ross Saturday & Sunday 21 & 22 September, Fijnwyn Learmonth (from Prime Circle) while sampling some of Innie Lente, Shokran Events Venue SA’s best gourmet street food.

Don’t miss The Fijnwyn Food & Wine Festival at Shokran in Tierpoort hosted late September. This popular event is an old favourite and offers great wine, exceptional deli food stalls, kids entertainment and live music. A day out for the whole family!

21 -24 September, Comic Con Africa, Gallagher Convention Centre This comic and fan convention celebrates the second of its kind after the huge success last year. This convention covers everything pop culture and related entertainment.

From comic books to movies, series, games, books, animation, toys, gadgets, collectibles. This means if you or any of your children are a huge fan of anything from Lord of the Rings to Avengers – this is the place to be!

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WHAT’S NEW BLUE H I L L S E q u e strian Estate

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HEALTHWHAT’S & WELLNESS NEW

CREATE A MORNING ROUTINE

By Wellness Warehouse If the thought of waking up with the birds makes you yawn, taking advice from the ancients can help you burst into the day with energy and joy.

With today’s always-on culture, it’s not that easy to be in touch with yourself, never mind with nature’s rhythms. Artificial lighting, endless entertainment and electronic disruptors make it harder for humans to perceive and understand environmental cues.

Sleeping and rising with the sun isn’t even deemed feasible anymore. But that doesn’t mean we need to give up.

For thousands of years, Ayurvedic wisdom has given humans a way to connect with themselves and the planet, no matter what the time of day. Dinacharya is an Ayurvedic principle that refers to a daily routine for maintaining physical health by allowing the body to be in tune with the cycles of nature. It helps create balance during the changes that naturally occur throughout the day.

THE POWER OF HABIT “We are what we repeatedly do,” is a quote attributed to Aristotle by American writer, historian, and philosopher Will Durant. Twenty-one days is the generally agreed-upon number when it comes to forming a habit. However, science reveals that this may only be the case if it’s a simple habit, like drinking a glass of water upon waking. If there are more steps to the formation of a habit, it may take longer. But it’s not all about automation – being mindful in your morning practice is also important.

That means there will always be an element of discipline that relates to self-nurture.

Brooklyn Mall • The Grove Mall Menlyn Maine • Woodlands Boulevard

BLUE H I LLS E qu e st r i a n E st a t e

If you are more of a night owl, this practice will take some getting used to, but it’s not meant to induce stress at bedtime. Sleep experts agree that if you want to change your wake-up time, don’t stress about your going to bed time – rather focus on getting up at the same time each day. As you awake earlier and earlier, you will naturally begin to fall asleep at the best time for your personal requirements.

HOW TO PRACTISE THE AYURVEDIC MORNING ROUTINE 1. Wake early in the morning - preferably before sunrise.

2. Drink a large glass of warm water. A little lemon will up the benefit. Warm water gently flushes out your whole system and also stimulates peristalsis (a series of wave-like muscle contractions that moves food to different processing stations in the digestive tract). The water purifies the stomach and liver, which stimulates the lymphatic system and gall bladder.

3. Wash your face and use a tongue scraper to stimulate digestion and elimination. Use cool water or spritz your eyes with rosewater.

4. Brush your teeth with natural paste or powder.

5. Evacuate your bowels and bladder, if possible within the first hour of waking (this will become habitual after a while).

6. Exercise for 10 to 15 minutes (yogic sun salutations are recommended). The body is at its strongest physically between 6 am and 10 am, so morning exercise is optimal.

7. Practise conscious breathing for 5 to 10 minutes.

8. Meditate for 5 to 15 minutes.

9. Shower or bath and rinse your mouth with coconut or sesame oil for 10 to 15 minutes.

10. Perform a self-massage. This is called abhyanga, and has numerous benefits - from softening the skin and nourishing the body to increasing circulation and strengthening the immune system.

Use warming sesame oil for cool body types, and coconut oil for warmer bodies.

11. Eat a small amount of breakfast (enough to get you to lunch without needing a snack).

From invigorating natural shower essentials and fluoride-free toothpaste to yoga mats and healthy breakfast ingredients, you’ll find everything you need for your morning routine at Wellness Warehouse.

19 ISSU E 4 • 2019 Shop in store or at www.wellnesswarehouse.com.

WHAT’S NEW BLUE H I L L S E q u e strian Estate

What’s new?

Spring storage ideas for the home

Did you know that decluttering and getting organised are not only good for your mental and physical well-being but it also enhances productivity? A study by Princeton University found that clutter could make it difficult for the visual cortex to focus on the task at hand.

Clutter also creates a constant level of low-grade stress and anxiety.

Being organised, on the other hand, helps you to destress and empower yourself!

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WHAT’S NEW BLUE H I LLS E qu e st r i a n E st a t e

So, get organised this spring with smart storage solutions like these: The Kitchen

We love these ideas:

A storage bench with multiple compartments underneath. This is a great concept that can be applied to other areas of the home as well, like the foyer for example!

A hanging shoe organiser is a clever way to store dolls, toy cars and figurines while using unused space.

Deep cupboards and drawers are ruling kitchens everywhere, but it is a bit of a nightmare getting to that pan at the bottom.

While you might stack everything back neatly, the next person might not.

Organise cupboards with multi-tier stainless steel holders for pans, lids, tupperware, baking trays etc.

Shelf risers can help you optimise the horizontal shelving space in your pantry or anywhere else in the kitchen. Shelf dividers can help you keep shelves neat and organised vertically.

Closets & drawers

Gain back control of your make-up, jewellery, socks and underwear drawers with divisioned drawer organisers.

Have an incredible shoe collection? Create more space at the bottom of your closet with multi-tier shoe racks.

Use vacuum bags for thick winter jackets and special occasion dresses. Not only do they condense the actual space needed by 50% but they also protect your clothing from clothing moths etc. Vacuum bags are also an ideal way to store winter blankets.

Toys

Storage for toys must be practical and convenient to use. As all parents know there is never time to sort out toys before stowing them away. It should also be easy enough so that your kids can do it themselves.

Shelves, shelves, shelves!

From the bathroom to the garage, a shelf is the answer to utilising unused space in every room!

Baskets, boxes or plastic containers can allow you to add even more on this space, plus it is aesthetically pleasing too.

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WHAT’S NEW BLUE H I L L S E q u e strian Estate

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HEALTH & WELLNESS BLUE H I LLS E qu e st r i a n E st a t e

HAPPINESS COMES IN Sodwana Bay is part of the iSimangaliso Wetland World Heritage site. This was the first World Heritage Site declared in South Africa. Sodwana means “little one on its own” in Zulu, which refers to the small river running into the ocean. iSimangaliso means “miracle” or “wonder” in Zulu when one of King Shaka’s generals first saw this place.

Sodwana Bay sits in the centre of 160kms of pristine beaches. There are no buildings on the dunes to spoil this. Sodwana Bay is within 100kms of 6 different Ezemvelo game reserves of which 4 are Big 5 reserves (this does not include the many private game reserves in the area).

Turtle tours are undertaken from November to March to see the female Leatherback & Loggerhead turtles laying eggs on the beach. The tiny hatchlings escape from the nest about 6 weeks after being laid.

For the more adventurous (with 4X4s) day trips to Lake Sibaya, 9 Mile, Mabibi and Black Rock are easily accessible. Quad bike tours, microlight flights, deep sea fishing, scuba diving, snorkelling and boat trips can all be arranged. Whale watching takes place from June to November when Humpback whales can be seen with their calves.

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Why we are different WE LOVE DIVING! Reefteach is driven by two passions. The first is a love for the natural environment and more specifically, the marine environment. The second is a drive for personalised customer service. In combining these two passions our mission is the following: To increase the understanding of the marine environment for each of our customers in a personalised relationship.

Reefteach was established at Sodwana Bay in 2000.

Reefteach has an intimate knowledge of the reefs at Sodwana Bay and is the operator of choice for divers wishing to know more about the underwater environment. All Reefteach staff members have completed thousands of dives at Sodwana Bay and because we personally dive daily, we are in a position to show you the best Sodwana has to offer.

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All of our dives are led by divemasters who have an extensive knowledge of the reefs, marine life and the ecology. Dive briefings are done using books in our marine reference library on the beach. In this way the divers know what marine life they can expect to see and to look out for. After the dive the reference books are used again to facilitate identification.

Reefteach has a number of special routes that are not well known by other operators. In this way we dive pristine areas that are away from the crowds.

Furthermore, even on the well-known dive sites the Reefteach staff knows where the rare fish and critters can be found. are available. There is secure parking with a night watchman. There is a dive kit washing and drying area available.

Reef House has 6 bedrooms of which 2 can accommodate an extra bed. All bedrooms are airconditioned and have en-suite bathrooms with s howers. Two bathrooms also have a bath. Reef House has a large lounge with satellite television (DStv). There is also a fully equipped kitchen and dining room. Reef House has a large covered deck both upstairs and downstairs.

ACCOMMODATION Reefteach has luxurious upmarket accommodation.

The accommodation is secluded and situated in beautiful gardens. The accommodation is 200 metres off the main road and less than 5 kilometres from the Parks Board gate. There are 13 double rooms available. The accommodation consists of Reef House (12 sleeper), Starfish Cottage (8 sleeper) and Coral Annexe (2 sleeper units). The accommodation is available as one entity, either Reef House or Starfish Cottage as an entity or as individual rooms. Each room has two single beds, which can be changed to a Kingsize bed upon request. Some rooms are big enough to accommodate an extra bed if required.

All our accommodation is fully equipped for self-catering. A swimming pool and braai facilities

Starfish Cottage has 4 bedrooms of which 2 can accommodate an extra bed. Two sleeper couches are also available in an upstairs lounge. All bedrooms are air-conditioned and have en-suite bathrooms with showers. Two bathrooms also have a bath. Starfish Cottage has a large lounge with satellite television (DStv). There is also a fully equipped kitchen and dining room. Starfish Cottage has a private deck with braai facilities.

Coral Annexe consists of 3 self-catering units. These en-suite, air-conditioned units are fully self-contained with a kitchenette, breakfast nook and lounge area. The units have 2 single beds (with the option of a King-size bed) and a sleeper couch. They are ideal for 2 adults with 2 small children or 3 adults. These units have satellite television (DStv). The units also have access to the outside braai facility as well as the swimming pool.

CONTACT Phone: (082) 339-6920 Mail: info@reefteach.co.za Web: www.reefteach.co.za Facebook: www.fb.com\reefteachsa\ 25 ISSU E 4 • 2019

ESTATE NEWS BLUE H I L L S E q u e strian Estate

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DECOR & LIFESTYLE BLUE H I LLS E qu e st r i a n E st a t e

MAKE AN ENTRANCE: FABULOUS FOYER FADS

Large statement headboards

If a home were a novel, its foyer or entryway would be the book’s synopsis. A foyer welcomes guests.

It sets the mood and offers a teaser to the tone and style visitors could expect throughout the house. Here, guests often linger before exiting, and neighbours catch up on the week’s highlights. It is an incredibly important part of the house, yet it is often underrated. Tell a gripping story this spring with some of this year’s trends:

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Floors The choice of flooring used in the foyer should be heavy duty and easy to clean but it should by no means be a safe option. Tiles in faux wood, geometric porcelain, concrete, vintage black and white or faux marble are creating quite a statement and they are incredibly diverse in their application.

Adding a unique carpet is also a great idea or opting for stenciled or painted floors can create a wonderful wow-factor.

Practical & Personal While it is important for this part of the house to stay true to the narrative of the home decoratively, it should be practical too. It makes sense to keep keys, umbrellas, dog leashes, sun hats, scarves, coats or any other items the family might need before heading out in this space. Incorporating clever storage space in a creative and eyecatching manner is therefore ideal. Foyers are becoming more personal too. Use this

space to showcase family photographs, travel mementos, inspirational quotes or any other personification of the people that live there. Benches, chairs or entryway tables are particularly popular in this area.

Art Where you choose to hang or place a piece of art impacts its effectiveness. Art lovers can use the foyer to highlight their most loved pieces so much more successfully.

Beautiful paintings, dramatic sculptures and artistic collectables can dominate the space uncontested. Strategic placements will ensure that no visitor would dream of missing your art. And because it is a place you frequent too, you will be able to admire them regularly as well.

Statement lighting Light up the way into the home with statement lighting fixtures. Retro lights, lights with soft gold finishes and vintage style bulbs are trending at the moment. Use it creatively in this space (in keeping with the style of

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your home of course). Own the space. The larger the foyer, the larger your fixture.

Create a welcoming soft glow by using yellow light.

Don’t have a foyer?

Modern home layouts often don’t have a large entryway into the home. In that case, make the most of your doorway by painting your door a great complementary colour – dove grey, matt black, hunter green and pastels are some of the most trendiest door colours at the moment. The use of hanging flower baskets or pot plants on the doorstep, a striking wreath or a cleverly chosen welcome mat can also help create a sense of warmth as guests enter your home.

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ESTATE NEWS

WHAT’S NEW

BLUE H I L L S E q u e strian Estate

through the eyes of an artist

The artist, Glendine, lives in De Rust in the Klein Karoo, in a typical Karoo house, similar to the ones that often feature in her paintings.

She was born in Namibia and went to school in Windhoek. From early childhood all Glendine wanted to do was draw and that’s why she went on to study art at the Pretoria Technikon, with fine arts as her main subject. During her fine arts classes, it felt like she was “coming home”.

She knew that this was what she wanted to do more than anything else; she knew she wanted to practice art as a “real” job.

on. The beautiful Karoo, with its plains of peace, edged a place into her heart, and it felt as if she could experience some of Namibia’s charm here.

After her studies, she painted and taught art classes. While staying in Hartbeespoort and later De Rust she sketched out a life for herself and her two sons. Her move to De Rust was the result of a love affair she established with the area early

During her forties, while living in De Rust, she made some of her happiest memories, but also her worst. Her eldest son died at the age of 19 in a car accident. After these events, the focus of her art shifted. The Karoo houses are still there, but there is an addition of personal introspection.

Through her honest account of her own sorrow and exposure of her deepest emotions, people are able to experience their own stories on canvas depicted in rich dark colours.

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ESTATE NEWS BLUE H I LLS E qu e st r i a n E st a t e

Her art is therapeutic for herself and others and it represents loss, love, longing, joy of life and the beauty of life.

With raw talent she captures bunnies, pigeons and the moon on canvas, and in this there is a symbolism of her own personal world. The people in her art are mostly women because she knows, understands and embraces womanhood.

Apart from having her own space in De Rust and being able to enjoy the town’s tranquility, Glendine is surrounded by precious people. Here she has been able to forge uncomplicated friendships. She does not take her talent for granted, but considers it a precious gift she received from God. It is a talent that sustains her livelihood, plus through her art she is also able to help others. It is a way for her to say “Thank you”.

To believe in God, love, life and beautiful things, give meaning to her life and through her art she is able to give back some of the grace she experiences every day.

Glendine does not take anything for granted, but believes that one must live in divine dependence and make complete use of the talents assigned to you.

Thank you that we can share in the beauty of your paintings against our walls.

if you would like to own a piece of the Karoo get in touch with Glendine 31 ISSU E 4 • 2019

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ESTATE NEWS BLUE H I LLS E qu e st r i a n E st a t e

Home Design Showcases

Century Property Developments have become the place to live. With all the amenities ideally located close-by or on the Estate itself, aspiring home-owners have found it to be a very attractive investment in value and lifestyle. With the expansion of the Estate on the horizon, many new stands have the opportunity to be occupied by you!

Century Properties found that JK Designs plays an integral part in helping aspiring home-owners to make informed decisions

for purchasing stands based on their needs.

It is for this reason that Century Properties have requested them to host over 20 Design Showcases, combining Property Consulting and Architectural Design.

JK Designs have recently played host to multiple Home Design Showcases at The Hills Estate, Blue Hills Estate and Waterfall Estate, which greatly aided buyers in designing their dream homes. With the latest technology, they demonstrate what your future home could look

like with the help of their creative designers and professional team.

JK Designs specialise in Architectural & Interior Design, Project Management, Property Consulting and they also have countless insights into the building industry.

The Home Design Showcases display various designs proposals for the various Century Properties’ estates, displaying different design solutions for different stand sizes on both plans and 3D. All your uncertainties can then be put to

rest as you ask all the questions you ever had regarding your new dream home.

The JK Designs-team have become familiar faces around Century Properties, both in support to aspiring buyers, and in the construction of their dream homes. They have designed over 30 residences spread over The Hills Estate, Blue Hills Estate and Waterfall Estate over the past five years.

They offer peace of mind and a fun experience on your journey to building your new home.

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HEALTH & WELLNESS BLUE H I L L S E q u e strian Estate

improve

your work health

On average, a third of our lifetime is spent at work or working. The demands of work can spike our stress levels. All those tenders, presentations, deadlines, brainstorming sessions, meetings etc. need us to function optimally with sustained levels of energy and brain power throughout the day. Work health is more than just a healthy immune system but encompasses mental and physical wellness too.

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• Snacks - A light and healthy mid-morning and late afternoon snack consisting of nuts, biltong, fruits, veggie sticks, raisins or plain yoghurt can help boost energy levels naturally.

• Lunch - A low carb light lunch such as a chicken salad can prevent that afternoon energy crash.

• H20 - Stay hydrated. Limit your coffee intake to 2 cups a day and up your water intake.

Dehydration is often behind headaches, migraines and a lack of energy.

Here are some tips to improve your health so you can function at your best at work: Manage your time better Some stress caused by day-to-day demands can be good for you. It can help you stay motivated and challenged, leading to enhance productivity.

But there is a line. Manage both your and your manager’s expectations. Start everyday with a clear plan and stay away from social media or any other distractions that deviate from this plan.

Stay motivated Learning new skills or gaining knowledge on a topic that could benefit you at work is always a “Yes”. It is good for your mind and soul. Put away 10-15 minutes daily to watch a motivational video or read up on new developments in your industry.

Eat (and hydrate) well This is perhaps the most important tip for work (and general) health as it affects more than just nutrition but also your mental and physical health. If you constantly feel lethargic, bloated or uncomfortable at work it is impossible to perform optimally. Did you know that some forms of depression and anxiety have been linked to unhealthy eating? Also, keep in mind that serotonin (the “feel good” hormone) is made in your gut and requires probiotics (yoghurt, kefir, kimchi) and prebiotics (onions, leeks, asparagus, oats, apples bananas) in order to flourish.

• Breakfast - Set the tone for the day by eating something healthy such as an omelette with a veggie and cheese filling or loaded oats with flaxseeds, berries, yoghurt and bananas.

Supplement We can get all the vitamins and nutrients we need from a healthy, balanced diet. However, it isn’t always possible to get enough of the right stuff.

Vegetarians, for example need to take a vitamin B12 supplement because only animal products contain this vitamin. A few other supplements are also good to help boost your work health like: • An immune booster - extra defense against colds and flu • Probiotics - healthy immune and healthy gut support • Omega 3s - lowers blood pressure and it is good for your heart health • Folic Acid - helps the body create new red blood cells Get moving According to JustStand.org most people (especially those with desk-bound job roles) sit for an average of 7.7 hours per day. This amount of sitting has been linked to heart disease, depression, weight issues, diabetes and poor blood circulation. Sitting can also lead to neck tension and back pain. So get moving!

• Take the stairs.

• Set an alarm to move every half an hour - make a trip to the loo, take a walk to fill your glass of water or simply get up and do some stretches/ a few star jumps at your desk.

• Consider investing in a standing desk and alternate between sitting and standing.

• Go for a lunchtime walk around the office block.

Sterilise Studies have shown that there could be 5 000 germs on your hands at any given point in time.

This is also true of your laptop, mouse and phone.

Sterilise your office equipment regularly as well as your hands. Keep antibacterial wipes or waterless hand cleanser on your desk for easy access.

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ESTATE NEWS BLUE H I L L S E q u e strian Estate

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ESTATE NEWS

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Visit our website: www.macd.co.za or Email: info@macd.co.za 37 ISSU E 4 • 2019