Aspire Lifestyle Winter 2023

ELITE ARRIVAL DISCOVER POETRY’S LATEST COLLECTION

IT’S A

48 HOURS IN ISTANBUL

ALIVE WITH CULTURE, SHOPPING AND DINING MUST-DOS

THERE SHE GLOWS

NATURAL, GLOWING SKIN WITH BEAUTY ENTREPRENEUR SHAHNAZ COLA-WRENSCH

COSY UP WITH WHOLESOME FOODS, CLASSIC STYLES & MAGICAL GETAWAYS

décor inspo at an inner-city oasis

72 CREATIVE PASSION handmade copper furniture from Copptique

76 OF THE EARTH the Aarde collection at Indigenus

84 BE THE LIGHT HOUSE IN YOUR OWN LIFE it’s time to trust, inspire and guise yourself

88 FOUR TIPS FOR WINTER WELLNESS general health and wellness

94 THERE SHE GLOWS Shahnaz Cola-Wrensch on skincare and Lumi Glo

98 CRUSHING ON CALI Louis Vuitton’s latest fragrance

101 SCENTSATIONIONAL wrap yourself in a beautiful, new fragrance

102 PRECIOUS JOY Louis Vuitton’s new baby collection

106 GOLDEN HOUR Morgenster Estate’s revamped olive oil range

109 INDULGE hot chocolate and wine tasting at Durbanville Hills

110 THE SIMPLE THINGS Sarah Graham’s new cookbook and delicious recipes

116 OLD IS GOLD Emile Joubert’s wine selection

118 NEW WINE RELEASES for winter

120 MELOZHORI MAGIC a pocket of paradise in the Cape Fold Mountains

126 VISIT TURKEY 48 hours in Istanbul

134 A GRAND AFFAIR Audi S8

136 BOOK CLUB this season’s must-reads

The next-generation Lexus NX is captivating from every angle, with an exterior design that features a striking rear badge that is both sleek and recognisable. Its interior is just as contemporary, boasting class-leading innovations like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as well as a 14-inch touchscreen multimedia system that provides intuitive technology at your fingertips.

That’s why the next-generation Lexus NX is the car with tomorrow written all over it.

WITH THE NEXT-GENERATION LEXUS NX

HOME IS WHERE LOVE RESIDES, MEMORIES ARE CREATED, FRIENDS ALWAYS BELONG, AND LAUGHTER NEVER ENDS. – UNKNOWN

EDITOR’S NOTE

My favourite season is here. This is the time of year I love most, when you will more than likely find me hibernating with a good book or cosying up fireside at one of Cape Town’s newest restaurants. It’s about warmth, indulgence, comfort and all the fuzzy things that make up a good life. I’m also partial to a good hike in the winter season, fewer snakes, and cooler weather. Perfection. I know I am not alone in this…

This issue of Aspire Lifestyle reveals some of this season’s latest styles; we focus on a few décor-inspired stories as a lead-up to one of South Africa’s most anticipated décor events, Decorex; and if you’re craving travel inspo, get lost in the pages of Turkey and a destination closer to home in the Western Cape, Melozhori Game Reserve and its magical treehouse.

Style, events, art, décor, food + wine, wellness, travel and motoring – we’ve put together some great reads for you to get stuck into; all focusing on the luxury side of life. Just as it should be. As always, we have loved creating this issue of Aspire Lifestyle for you. We hope you enjoy exploring these pages.

Stay warm, and happy reading!

Be inspired by this inner-city oasis ... turn to page 60 for more on this beautifully curated space.

ELEGANCE IN GUN METAL.

Tapware in Gun Metal, Brushed Nickel, Tiger Bronze, Champagne, Polished Chrome and Matte Black. Available throughout South Africa.

THE TEAM

MANAGING EDITOR

Lauren Zuidema

ART DIRECTOR

Bianca-Leigh Nagel

PROOFREADER

Margy Beves-Gibson

COMMERCIAL OPPORTUNITIES

vann@aspirelifestyle.co.za

CONTRIBUTORS:

Emile Joubert

Holly Durcan

Jared Ruttenberg

Jennifer Campbell

Robyn Alexander

Vann van Staden

Vicki Sleet

IMAGES

Supplied, Unsplash, DepositPhotos, FreePik

COVER Poetry Winter Collection

DISTRIBUTION:

Distribution: Community Life Media, On The Dot

PUBLISHED BY

Aspire Lifestyle (Pty) Ltd 021 712 3842

www.aspirelifestyle.co.za

Aspire Lifestyle supports Greenpop, a non-profit organisation, on a mission to (re)connect people with our planet. We are committed to plant 50 trees with every issue.

www.greenpop.org

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

No part of this magazine may be reproduced in whole or in part without the written consent and permission of the publisher and copyright owners as featured. DISCLAIMER All information, dates and prices were correct at the time of print. We cannot be held liable for any changes thereafter.

High-end winter warmers from BIRKENSTOCK.

Style edit

Nerina clutch purse | Guess R1 299

Delilah wool blend coat | Poetry R1 799

Aline off-white top | Poetry R599

Cala flatform loafer | Poetry R1 399

Noemie biker leather jacket | Poetry R3 599

Montblanc Signature Absolue | 90 ml R1 599

Tricia fedora hat | Old Khaki R349

Skinny jeans 2015 Babhila | Diesel R3 599

Style edit

FOR HIM

Burnt olive T-shirt | Freedom of Movement R595

Reversible bomber jacket | Diesel R8 899

Ford sleeveless puffer jacket Old Khaki R899

Canvas sneakers | Diesel R4 599

Hugo Shrill watch R5 299

Cream T-shirt | Freedom of Movement R595

Slim jeans 2019 D-Strukt Diesel R3 599

Leather biker jacket | Diesel R18 899

Elite arrival

Poetry has arrived with an exquisitely breathtaking collection. Designed for the consumer who seeks an elite connection with comfort. It evokes emotion; it’s classic yet stands out from the crowd. It is a statement. From practical pieces in sturdy and fluid fabrics to luxury patterns and colours.

www.poetrystores.co.za

Elegant mastery

When Rolex introduces a new timepiece, the world takes notice. When the luxury watchmaker releases a host of new models, even more so. We look at some of Rolex’s brand-new, stand-out creations.

BY MARIUS BOONZAIER

OYSTER PERPETUAL

For 2023, Rolex has added a splash of colour to the Oyster Perpetual 31, 36 and 41 models with new dial decorations. According to the luxury firm, the (di erently sized) bubble motif encapsulates the vivid colours of the lacquered dials introduced in 2020: candy pink, turquoise blue, yellow, coral red and green. Rolex’s calibre 2232 powers the smallest version in the collection, while the company’s calibre 3230 drives the 36 and 41. All variants are waterresistant to 100 m.

DAY-DATE 36

Rolex introduced two new Day-Date 36 line-ups. One line comprises watches that sport shimmering dials, which evoke the atmosphere of the Mediterranean coast. The other has been handed an unexpected twist with vibrant hues (in a jigsaw puzzle pattern created using champlevé enamelling), an inspirational keyword at 12 o’clock and an exclusive emoji at 3 o’clock.

SKY-DWELLER

This model – with its two time zones and annual Saros calendar – is a trusted companion for world travellers. For 2023, Rolex has handed the Sky-Dweller a range of updates, including aesthetic and technical enhancements. A first for the Sky-Dweller, Rolex now o ers it in 18-carat white gold, with the variant fashioned in 18-carat Everose gold endowed with a blue-green dial. The luxury watchmaker’s calibre 9002 is housed in a 42 mm case. The self-winding (via a perpetual rotor) unit o ers a power reserve of 72 hours.

frican delight A

In South Africa’s Caversham Valley lies a very special farm on which creativity takes centre stage: this is where Ardmore’s whimsical, elegant and worldrenowned wares are made.

TEXT ROBYN ALEXANDER PHOTOGRAPHS WARREN HEATH PRODUCTION SVEN ALBERDING

Here, a mischievous monkey clambers up a chandelier; there, stately gira es twirl their necks about a candlestick; and over on a table in the corner, elephants form a graceful, sculptural pyramid. Flowers and leaves take new form as tureen hand grips, while the elegant head of a crowned crane makes a unique handle for the lid of a sugar bowl. Everywhere, there is a feeling of delight in the marvellous abundance and fantastical variety of the natural sphere. This is the wonderful world of Ardmore, where makers of sculptures, ceramics and décor items infuse a sense of African joy and splendour into everything they create.

The Ardmore journey began almost 40 years ago when the brand’s founder and creative director, artist Fée Halsted-Berning, was living and working on a farm named Ardmore in South Africa’s KwaZulu-Natal province. She collaborated with her student and fellow artist, Bonnie Ntshalintshai, and the pair were soon producing remarkable ceramics that caught the eye of the South African art establishment. In 1990, they were jointly given the prestigious Standard Bank Young Artist Award, which involved producing work for a commissioned show at the country’s premier arts festival.

A few years later, tragedy struck when Bonnie was one of the many promising young South Africans to contract HIV/AIDS and she passed away from the then-almost inevitably deadly disease. In the wake of this sad event, however, Fée continued to produce work, training other youthful artists and eventually moving Ardmore to its current location in the Caversham Valley, also in the KwaZuluNatal Midlands. “This area is very special,” says Fée. “Beautiful scenery surrounds us with a view of the Drakensberg mountains in the distance. We are located on a confluence of two rivers, and the constant flow of water gives tremendous energy and tranquillity.”

Ardmore’s location is also a key influence on the work its artists produce, which showcases their unique interpretations of the fauna and flora of southern Africa. Says Fée, “Ardmore is inspired by wildlife and flora, and the peace of the property is conducive to a happy work environment, which is vital to artists.” Around 70 sculptors and painters arrive to work at Ardmore each morning, where Fée – as creative director and lead – begins her daily round, checking on each artist’s progress and generally overseeing the production process.

Every ceramic piece the studio creates begins with an artist moulding a clay sculpture using white earthenware clay. When dry, the piece is bisque fired, then painted with underglaze paints, fired in the kiln again, and thereafter given a final layer of painted glaze and another firing. “We often do a combination of matt and glossy glazes on the artworks,” says Fée. And for pieces to which gold lustre is added, a fourth firing is necessary.

Fée Halsted-Berning with her son, Jonathan Berning, who runs Ardmore Home. Above: The Ardmore sculpting studio, always a hive of activity, is linked to the painters’ studio beyond it. On the move on the left is sculptor Qiniso Mungwe, with Edwin Khomari at work on the front table; to his far right is Somandla Ntshalintshali.

Clockwise from top left: Qiniso Mungwe carefully adds finishing details to a lion-drawn carriage sculpture; painter Sthabiso Hadebe decorates a sculptural tower of rhino horns; painter Mthulisi Ncube creates fine lines and feather patterns on a parrot figurine using a delicate number 00 brush; painter Slindile Mchunu sponges a white undertone onto an abstract rhino sculpture. Beside her is a repurposed ice tray containing a selection of underglaze paints, which are available in approximately 20 shades.

Fée is there each step of the way with the studio artists; checking on concepts and execution in the clay sculpting process, making suggestions regarding the painting of underglazes and details, and providing a supportive framework within which they can allow their imaginations and talents free rein. The end result is a delightful array of ceramic works recognised the world over as modernday collectables and regularly feature in sales by auction houses such as Christie’s, Bonhams and Sotheby’s.

The Ardmore aesthetic is unique. Asked to sum it up in three words, Fée selects elegant, quirky, and well-made. Indeed, Ardmore’s works combine all of these elements, and the result is a world-renowned look that captivates an ever-growing legion of fans. Two of the animals that feature most frequently in Ardmore creations are vervet monkeys and African leopards, and symbolic dimensions of each – with “the leopard representing the elegance and sophistication of the brand, and the monkey adding mischievous nonsense that humanises us”, she explains – contribute keynotes to the brand’s overall feel.

While Ardmore’s creations have a collective identity that makes them unmistakable, in the studio, individual artists are given considerable scope to work in areas that particularly suit them. Each maker is encouraged to develop their own recognisable style. Fée explains, “Some painters prefer to work in a realistic manner, while others enjoy using flat shapes and patterns. Alex Sibanda prefers to model elephants, hippos and riders, while Moshe Sello really enjoys modelling monkeys, and Thulani Mntungwa loves creating lyrical vessels.”

In recent years, Ardmore has branched out beyond ceramics and sculpture and now produces upholstery fabrics, homeware items ranging from table runners and napkins to scatter cushions, and even fashion accessories and jewellery. These new lines of creation had their origins in Fée’s admiration of the Arts and Crafts movement artist and maker William de Morgan, who believed in the importance of living with art.

First trialled as an experimental range in 2010, Ardmore’s textile designs proved so immediate a success that they became a permanent fixture in 2013, kicking o a multi-faceted future for the overall Ardmore Design brand. Its development also heralded

Fée admires sculptress Octavia Mazibuko’s just-finished leopard tureen. Below: “At Ardmore, we are storytellers and these masked monkeys are our quirky way of reflecting on the Covid-19 pandemic,” says Fée. The wallpaper seen behind the masked duo is Zulu Terrain, in the colourway Forest Green and Olive Green, and is manufactured by Cole & Son); it is available to order in South Africa from St Leger & Viney.

the process of Ardmore becoming a family business, with Fée’s son Jonathan Berning and her daughters Catherine and Megan Berning, all taking on roles suited to their skills and training. “Now, Jonathan runs Ardmore Home, Megan runs Ardmore Ceramics, and Catherine is our brand custodian, brainstorming designs for the home and fashion lines, as well as being creative manager for our marketing,” explains Fée.

So it is that today, Ardmore produces teapots, sculptural pieces, silk scarves (in collaboration with Hermès), one-o ceramic chandeliers, wallpaper (made by British manufacturers Cole & Son), platters and bowls, candleholders, upholstery fabrics and much more. While there are now myriad ways for the brand’s devotees to add a touch of Ardmore enchantment to their homes, underpinning it all is the constant process of making and creating that quietly takes place each day on a peaceful farm in the heart of the South African countryside.

ardmore-design.com

This Butterfly Garden Stand was made by Ardmore artist Nelly Hlongwane. Right: The chandelier was made especially for display in the Caversham Gallery and is an iconic work of art. One of Ardmore’s largest-ever pieces, it was worked on by all of the artists and took four months of creative collaboration to complete.

The future of conscious living

Top chefs, wellness experts, and mixologists will come together at the Plant Powered Show in Joburg.

THE PLANT POWERED SHOW

The Plant Powered Show enjoyed recent success in Cape Town, and now the event is set to debut in Johannesburg in August. The first of its kind in Africa, the event aims to bring the plant-based, vegetarian, vegan and conscious living revolution to a mainstream audience. The event is designed for those who want to live a healthier, more sustainable lifestyle and will be packed with ideas and inspiration.

The show will allow visitors to see various high-quality and innovative products, from superfoods and beverages to vegan beauty and skincare, kitchen accessories, home décor and wellness supplements. Over 200 exhibitors will attend this year’s shows, so visitors will be spoilt for choice when browsing the best from the industry.

One of the event’s highlights is The Checkers Plant Kitchen powered by Simple Truth, featuring professional chefs and celebrity cooks in action. Visitors can expect to see easy and delicious vegan and plantbased dishes being prepared live.

The show will also feature diverse and compelling health and wellness talks and panel discussions. In addition, there will be some wonderful masterclass experiences available for premium ticket holders. The programme includes a range of options and features some of the country’s best chefs and award-winning mixologists. There are 18 masterclasses to choose from; programmes and booking information will be released closer to the time.

The Plant Powered Show is not only for vegans and vegetarians. This is an excellent opportunity for flexitarians, reducetarians and sports enthusiasts, as well as those who simply want to live a healthier, more ethical lifestyle, to take a look at what’s on o er in the plant-based food and wellness industry. Event producer Heidi Warricker explains that many consumers seek ways to live more consciously, while chefs and foodies want to be inspired to create delicious meals with exciting new ingredients. “It’s a food revolution we are proud to be part of,” she says. “We are delighted to bring this world-class event to Gauteng for the first time.”

Between masterclasses, demonstrations and browsing, visitors can enjoy a delicious meal at one of many pop-up eateries serving up delicious plant-based and vegan food. The aptly named Living on the Veg seating area will boast several lunch options, vegan-friendly and organic wines and conscious cocktails in a vibey setting.

The event takes place from 4-6 August at the Kyalami International Convention Centre. The building has been revamped to include world-class facilities. Tickets are on sale at Quicket.

Shaping the world

DECOREX: experience the best in design and lifestyle.

Decorex has been at the forefront of décor and lifestyle trends for almost three decades. As Africa’s leading décor and design platform, Decorex has hosted over 100 events and helped to launch thousands of businesses. Now, the event returns to Cape Town and Johannesburg and promises, once more, to showcase the very latest developments in design.

CELEBRATING THE UNIQUE

The Decorex events are all about cultivating a culture of inclusion, and exhibitors, attendees, partners and event organisers are from various backgrounds. This celebration of diversity and uniqueness makes for a rich collective experience.

Decorex Africa has joined forces with Design Joburg and 100% Design Africa this year, and all three design authorities

will exhibit in Joburg. They will remain distinct in their curated o erings but will work together to leverage their combined resources and networks.

The shows provide visitors with an excellent opportunity to identify and source new products and services while keeping up to date with the most exciting contemporary design trends. Besides exhibitions, the shows will feature networking events, trends seminars and trade workshops that showcase the future of design, décor and architecture.

Events will include content sessions, in which a line-up of respected industry players will speak; satellite events, where the precinct around the shows will be activated as open-source co-creation spaces; and a trend day – an inspiring, future-forward forum for design and building professionals and the Future of Design trend day – an inspiring, future-forward forum that comprises of a talk theatre and an exhibition area, captivating a blend of physical and digital displays, collaborative workshops, live demonstrations and presentations by thought leaders.

CAPE TOWN: 22–25 JUNE AT THE CTICC | JOBURG: 3–6 AUGUST AT THE SANDTON CONVENTION CENTRE

Experience a Cape Family Safari

Ideally located on the Garden Route only a four hour drive from Cape Town, the 11 000 hectare, private game reserve offers a one of a kind Cape safari experience. Luxurious accommodation is provided in romantic, stand-alone safari suites or bush villas ideal for families, all with awe-inspiring views of the mountainous landscape and passing wildlife. Enjoy exhilarating game drives encountering free roaming Big 5 game species as well as giraffe, hippo, and herds of antelope. Additional activities on offer include the fun Junior Ranger programme for kids, mountain biking, Africology spa treatments, guided Fynbos walks and conservation activities.

So happy it hurts

Bryan Adams will perform in two local venues later this year.

Known worldwide as one of the most exciting live musicians, Bryan Adams will soon bring his energy and stage presence to our shores. Big Concerts has confirmed shows in both Cape Town and Pretoria in November. South African fans will be spoilt with multiple shows as the rockstar starts his world tour in the Mother City.

With a career that spans over 40 years, Bryan Adams has made 15 studio albums, with his latest released last year. His latest album, So Happy It Hurts, released in 2022, was nominated for a Grammy, and his songwriting has garnered him numerous awards and accolades. He is one of the best-selling artists in rock history, and his raspy vocals and melody-driven lyrics have had fans dancing since the ‘80s.

So Happy It Hurts is characterised by upbeat melodies and joyful lyrics that reflect post-pandemic freedom. The album is not without the classic ballads for which he is loved, along with his familiar throaty vocals and gritty guitar sounds.

THE SHOWS

Bryan Adams will perform at two of our venues: GrandWest in Cape Town and Time Square in Pretoria. Cape Town will be spoilt with the tour’s debut show, on Tuesday, 7 November, with another show on Wednesday, 8 November. He will then head up to Pretoria for three performances on 10–12 November and then on to various other countries across the world, including the USA, Japan, South Korea, Philippines, Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand.

A feast

for the senses

It’s simply undeniable – local foodies are spoilt for choice. Some of the newest spaces are redefining what it means to dine out, offering striking interiors, vibey atmospheres and interactive experiences. We discover some of the best dining destinations to join the scene.

Located at the

Nelson Hotel, The Red Room

Chefs

boasts a

menu headed by chef David

The restaurant o ers diners a unique and immersive experience. First, diners are greeted with two curated moments: relax in a cosy booth with a tea-infused cocktail and sample any of the small plates from the à la carte menu. Options include grilled scallops with Tom Yum foam and Kombu butter or Korean barbeque pork steamed buns. Alternatively, diners can find a spot in the lavish dining room and enjoy a four-course menu designed to share. Menu highlights include Peking duck, dumplings and marinated tofu. Gardens | Cape Town | www.chefswarehouse.co.za/the-red-room

THE RED ROOM

famous Mount

by

Warehouse

Pan-Asian

Schneider.

CLUB KLOOF

This new Italian-inspired eatery and bar on Kloof Street is a bright and beautiful spot; think crimson walls, orange banquettes and an outdoor lemonyellow bar reminiscent of an Amalfi summer.

Owned by chef Shayne Schutte and his partner Michael Carter (the team behind Our Local, also on Kloof Street), Club Kloof serves up fresh flavours inspired by the duo’s love of Italy. The focus is on small plates designed for sharing, as well as sourdough pizzas made in the traditional Roman street food style. It’s possible to buy the pizza of the day by the slice or to order a mini pizzette topped with options like mortadella with mozzarella and green-olive butter; anchovy, smoky tomato and capers; and garlic confit with fresh tomato and mozzarella.

Tamboerskloof | Cape Town | www.clubkloof.com

CHEFS WAREHOUSE AT THE BAILEY

With renowned chef Liam Tomlin at the helm, Chefs Warehouse has returned to Cape Town’s vibey Bree Street, now on the ground floor of The Bailey. Diners will be treated to a combination of old favourites –salt and pepper squid with chilli, pineapple and caramelised ginger; Vietnamese rice paper rolls; and their signature risotto – as well as some exciting new additions to the menu. The menu includes some delicious vegetarian and vegan options like tandoori cauliflower, coconut and cashew salad; and smoked tomato souffle with crisp shallots; while fish dishes are prepared at an open seafood bar.

Bree Street | Cape Town

www.the-bailey.co.za/chefs-warehouse

POT LUCK CLUB JOHANNESBURG

Exciting news for Joburg foodies. Luke Dale Roberts and his team of chefs have recently unveiled a permanent home for the Pot Luck Club Johannesburg. The restaurant has opened in Rosebank’s prestigious Oxford Parks development and boasts an edgy urban interior. Like the thriving Cape Town eatery, the restaurant will offer a menu of tapas-style dishes ideal for sharing and giving diners a chance to discover new flavours. Don’t miss some Pot Luck Club favourites, including chickpea fries with aioli and smoked ketchup; and succulent beef with silky café au lait sauce.

Rosebank | Johannesburg www.thepotluckclubjhb.co.za

MINARI

Minari is a trendy, family-owned Korean restaurant located in Stellenbosch. With its intimate and elegant setting, the space is the first of its kind in town. The menu features Korean favourites like shin ramyun, a noodle dish in a spicy broth served with thinly sliced beef, a boiled egg and vegetables; kimchi mandu, dumplings that can be steamed or deep-fried; and dakkochi, sweet soy marinated chicken skewers with charred spring onion and peppers. Fans of traditional Korean cuisine will be spoilt with authentic flavours in a cosy setting. Stellenbosch | Cape Town

SALON

LIBERTÉ

Based in Craighall in Johannesburg, Liberté is a beautifully curated space designed to celebrate life and connection. The menu is a modern take on timeless French classics, and each dish has been carefully recreated through the lens of the chef’s own culture and experiences. The food is simple yet elegant; French toast croissants, freshly baked baguettes, and a selection of salads made with high-quality ingredients. The dinner menu features some familiar French favourites like filet mignon, coq au vin and beef bourguignon. Save space for desserts like meringue with crème pâtissière and raspberry coulis or a freshly baked tartlet from their boulangerie. Craighall | Johannesburg | www.liberterestaurant.com

The latest addition to awardwinning chef and restaurateur Luke Dale Roberts’ repertoire, SALON is a brand-new dining concept in Cape Town’s Old Biscuit Mill precinct. The space is effortlessly stylish, boasting elegant décor heavily inspired by the concept of a traditional European salon. As such, the interior is a beautiful blend of heritage and more contemporary design elements. When it comes to the menu, the offering is small, focused and interactive. Dale Roberts has created a signature dish inspired by each country he has worked in and the result is a nine-course journey featuring creations like Malaysian-style laksa, Korean beef ‘kalbi’, and a playful take on South African shisanyama. Woodstock | Cape Town www.salonct.co.za

THE BAILEY BRASSERIE

Modelled after an authentic Parisian brasserie, The Bailey Brasserie features a menu of continental dishes based on traditional French recipes and methods, all beautifully complemented by a superb wine list. Located on Bree Street, the restaurant is housed in a historic building rich with history and gorgeous elements, such as raw brick walls, high ceilings and parquet flooring. The menu includes classics like French onion soup and Gruyere croutes; baked camembert with rosemary honey and toasted nuts; and escargot with garlic butter, as well as desserts like crème brûlée, chocolate fondant and crepe suzette.

Bree Street | Cape Town | www.the-bailey.co.za/the-bailey-brasserie

City calm

Former magazine editor Sumien Brink has created an inner-city oasis: a veritable greenhouse and personal library, artfully styled with favourite objet, a photographic collection, and sentimental market finds gathered over the years.

PHOTOGRAPHS GREG COX TEXT HOLLY DURCAN INTERIOR DESIGNER EXTRAORDINAIRE ETIENNE HANEKOM

IT WAS A busy day in the heart of Cape Town when Sumien Brink – a former magazine editor with an unerring nose for recognising the potential in a space – bravely entered the incongruously named Impala House with its modest but beguiling pink marble foyer. The lift opened directly into the space, literally stopping her in her tracks. ‘I was simply flabbergasted. I had no idea proportions like this still existed in the city,’ she said.

The building itself didn’t deter, nor did interior designer Etienne Hanekom bat an eyelid when most of us might have run a mile.

The dining area is entered by walking past two carved bone horses bought near the Milnerton Market. The metal dining table is by Gregor Jenkin. Drawings by Lucie de Moyencourt, a favourite artist, and an old poster of the The Butcher Boys by Jane Alexander line the back of the display dressers dividing the room.

From left: Beautifully curated over the years, every objet evokes a memory; more books with ceramics from Mervyn Gers, Ceramic Matters, Elsje Burger and tapestry embroidered by friend Dr Sue Robinson; images of a collection of ethnic jewellery gifted by Sumien’s close friend Dr Sue Robinson hang above a lifetime’s collection of much-loved books that continually inspire, but the pièce de résistance is the olive green, deep-buttoned Chesterfield from Loft Living.

The perfect place for a little nap: the comfy couch was given a new life with loose linen covers. Next to it is a woollen lamb by felt diva Ronel Jordaan and the miniature Chinese side table was picked up along the way. To the right, a single print by Jane Alexander hangs on the wall.

Opposite: Two Gregor Jenkins tables seat at least 12 friends and are the opportunity to style for special dinners. Ever the stylist, Sumien has used bold flowering amaryllis to dress the table, and Etienne Hanekom Interiors devised an easy lighting solution for the lofty space.

from ceramicists Mervyn Gers, Ceramic Matters, Frauke Stegmann (the gold lustre tea cups), Hemelhuijs and Mud Studio; Part of a collection of tea strainers that a friend, Braam Theron, made for his partner Aida Uys over the years; Assortment of wooden kitchen utensils and boards, from carved butter moulds to a vintage grater from a Taiwanese fishing trawler used for nutmeg and ginger.

Etienne Hanekom installed corrugated dividers to create two bedrooms: an easy way to divide a huge space previously used as an office and reminiscent of the yellow corrugated walls he used for the first time in the World Design Capital offices in Cape Town. The original space was a blank canvas, with only rudimentary bathrooms and a tiny kitchen.

Opposite: The industrial feeling of the kitchen area is softened by the use of many plants, making this a little inner-city garden and a calm sanctuary.

Handmade tableware

A striking work by Guy Tillim, Avenue du Président Léopold Sédar Senghor, Dakar, Sénégal (2017), was blown up as wallpaper by Robin Sprong. Vintage chairs covered in grey linen and carpet bought from Milnerton Market.

Entrance to the bathroom, now a clean white space filled with unexpected naive paintings found at Milnerton Market over the years; the photo wall in the main bedroom above the desk features the work of Sumien’s favourite photographers, illustrations from Tina Berning’s book 100 Girls on Cheap Paper and a panorama of Table Mountain taken in the early ‘80s by her brother Corrie Hansen; ‘Silk, amber, wood and old silver…. I love it all,’ laughs Sumien. The chunks of amber came from Warsaw and were set in silver here in Cape Town, and the silver is Indian.

Opposite: Main bedroom with poetry throw from Karien Belle, Sumien’s guardian angel tapestry that ‘keeps me safe in the inner city’ and a portrait of Braam Brink painted by his old friend and architect Arno de Villiers.

CREATIVE PASSION

When it comes to design trends, copper will always have a timeless charm. And this year, the material is proving particularly popular in the world of home décor thanks to its unique hue, versatility and stylish aesthetic.

BY JENNIFER CAMPBELL

Launched by husband-and-wife duo Rob and Shahnaz Wrensch, local company Copptique o ers handmade copper furniture and décor items. Shahnaz has a penchant for rose gold furniture, while Rob loves creating furniture, so it made sense for the duo to join forces and launch a brand that embodies both of their passions. The couple has created a collection that brings the copper trend to life and blends a modern style with classic, quality materials.

THE INSPIRATION

Rob and Shahnaz decided to launch the Copptique brand while struggling to find unique pieces for their own home. They created a modern copper clothing rail and continued with various home décor items. Rob makes all the copper items from scratch and hand-finishes every piece.

THE AESTHETIC

Each item is handmade using real industrial copper pipes and fittings. All the copper is thoroughly cleaned before being crafted and treated with a clear lacquer to retain its natural colour. The classic copper tone of the material is modern and elegant. The pieces bring warmth to any interior thanks to the rich shade of the metal and pair well with other elements like wood and marble for a look that is both textured and luxe.

THE COLLECTION

The furniture collection from Copptique includes a side table, shoe rack, coat rail, clothing rail, kids’ clothing and shoe rail, drinks trolley and mounted wall unit. The clothing rail was the brand’s very first creation and worked as an excellent storage display to showcase clothing. The base can be used as extra storage for baskets, shoes and other accessories. The rail is available in a mini version and is an excellent addition to a child’s bedroom.

As well as furniture, the range includes unique home accessories like jewellery stands, lamps, plant stands and candle holders. A range of wine and gin bottle racks and holders make a modern statement and serve as functional artworks for the lounge, kitchen or bar.

Rob and Shahnaz also o er bespoke furniture and fittings and take special requests for custom pieces.

Of the earth

German designer Sebastian Herkner, 2021 winner of the Elle Deco International Design Award (EDIDA), has designed the Aarde range of planters in collaboration with Indigenus. Following his honeymoon to South Africa, Sebastian was inspired by all the aspects, elements and shades he encountered. The Aarde represents the layering that exists culturally, demographically and in the nature and light of Africa. The Aarde has subtly overlapping layers with di erent depths to create the play with light and minerality that Sebastian saw in the natural landscape and wanted to embody. The earthy colours used in this range are very much part of the story Sebastian wished to communicate.

Sebastian’s love for traditional craftsmanship coupled with a natural a nity for colours, authentic materials and textures and his curiosity for di erent cultures meant that this collaboration was a natural fit. “I like that the Aarde is being produced in South Africa because I believe people are searching for the story of the product, where it is produced, which materials are used, and how sustainable it is. Indigenus makes superbly manufactured planters, and their design philosophy matches mine,” says Sebastian.

The global context was an essential connection between Sebastian and Peter van der Post, founder of Indigenus. Indigenus has a large and growing international distributor network, and Sebastian strives to design products that work globally. “In the end, all our needs from a product are so similar,” says Sebastian. “We are looking for companions for life, not a trend, and we want great designs with long-lasting function and quality. This is sustainability.”

www.indigenus.co.za

The Aarde collection by Sebastian Herkner shows the expression of light and minerality in exquisitely designed statement pieces and architectural planters.

earth

In love with the Mother City

Hardie Property aims to provide Cape Town clients with personal service and the chance to give back to the community. Owner, Richard Huxham-Hardie, real estate mogul and expert, is spearheading his way to a seamless property portfolio and offering.

BY JENNIFER CAMPBELL

Apassionate real estate agent, Richard Huxham-Hardie is the founder and driving force behind Hardie Property. With a love for the Mother City, Richard enjoys showing o what Cape Town has to o er to new buyers and tenants alike.

THE STORY BEHIND THE BRAND

Against all odds, Richard launched his company during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. He predicted many people would want to move after lockdown and felt confident there would be a resurgence in the Cape Town market. He worked with designer Pierre Odendaal to create a brand that aims to help people live beautifully.

Richard is determined to help his clients find the right space. If he doesn’t have the stock, he’ll go out and find something that will work.

AN INTERNATIONAL BACKGROUND

Richard was born in Cape Town to British parents and spent most of his early childhood in Greyton. Later, his time was spent between schooling in the UK, his mother in South Africa and his father who travelled internationally as a diplomat and ultimately as British High Commissioner to The Gambia. Although he has spent much of his time in the UK, he considers South Africa his true home.

Richard began work as a real estate agent in London in his early twenties before moving to Guernsey in the Channel Islands, where he was MD of a design-led estate agency. He then returned to South Africa, where he really got to know the market in the Atlantic Seaboard, City Bowl and Southern Suburbs.

SHARING SUCCESS

When he launched his brand, Richard wanted to make sure the company would give back to the community in some way. As such, a percentage of the sale or rental commission is donated to a charity of the client’s choosing upon the successful transfer or signed lease of a property. For Richard, part of the appeal of running his

own company is that it provides him with the opportunity to include philanthropy as a core value of the business.

One of the charities that Hardie Property has worked with is The Hope Exchange, an organisation that o ers homeless people the chance to wash, clean clothes, get a meal, and have access to clinic care and social support.

www.hardieproperty.com

LET US BE THE KEY TO YOUR PROPERTY SUCCESS IN 2023.

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lighthouse Be the

in your own life

It’s time to trust, inspire and guide yourself from within.

BY NICKY ROWBOTHAM

Lighthouses have often represented a beacon of light and hope, dotted on remote, rugged and treacherous shorelines to guide us safely home. Amid global turbulence and uncertainty that has felt so predominant over the last three years, it is easy to feel untethered and adrift at sea. Sometimes it seems safest to search outside ourselves for a lighthouse on the horizon to help us avoid crashing into the rocks and guide us to the proverbial safe haven of a port.

Expert knowledge through experience, expertise and academic qualification has often represented one of these beacons of hope. Important to consider, however, is that guidance from many sources can be a perspective and may be conflicting. Encountering di erent opinions about where we should be and what we should do can feel akin to intellectual whiplash. We have to sift through advice, opinions, facts and truths to

consider what resonates for us personally and feels most aligned with our knowing and path. Instead of feeling helpless when the inevitable storms of life happen, bu eted about by the ever-changing winds, we can centre into our own intuition and trust ourselves, as this equips us with a compass in hand and a life jacket to wear as we navigate uncertainty and change.

This inner trust is a critical step in embracing our own personal power. In Embrace Your Elegant Power: Your Path to Success with Ease, I look at the di erence between power and force in our lives, as they are often confused. Force is dense and seeks dominance over another and often demands a response – a counterforce. Power is expansive and magnetic. Like gravity, it moves things without having to move itself. Force resides outside of us, whereas power is innate within. Power is something we embody, and it’s felt in our bodies rather than

... we can centre into our own intuition and trust ourselves, as this equips us with a compass in hand and a life jacket to wear as we navigate uncertainty and change.

emanating from our logic, intellect or emotions. Embodied power is that lighthouse energy, which I believe we should all centre into for ourselves. As Anne Lamott says, “The lighthouse doesn’t run all over the island looking for boats to save, it just stands there shining.” We cannot make everyone happy and be everything to everyone else. Five years ago, I would have looked like a schizophrenic glow worm, flitting around the island as I sought to do just that, trusting external authorities and opinions before my own. All I really needed to do was tune into my intuition and instinct, trusting myself first before I outsourced my self-worth and knowing as I chased the gold stars of external validation. When we trust ourselves, stand sure in our own worth and unique gifts and know that we are enough now, the only approval we need in life is from ourselves. Not when we have started that business, found a partner, lost weight, delivered a project, been promoted and qualified by meeting some distant milestone. Happiness, self-worth and self-trust is in the present moment, not something to be postponed for a future date.

As we overthink and remain busy on the hamster wheel of life, it is far easier to follow approved paths of societal validation that run on repeat. A busy mind overrides and drowns out our intuition, gut instinct and knowing. In doing so, we dilute our inner power at the expense of the surest path home for us – our internal guidance – and we feel this lack of trust within our bodies and nervous systems. Everyone else is not more qualified to guide us in our lives than we are. As we step back into and embody our power, this is not an ode to selfishness; rather, it is a nudge to step out of people-pleasing behaviours, diminishing our gifts and our sense of self to remain small and tame, as we outsource our sense of self-worth to the validation and approval of others. Instead, we need to quieten our minds, tune into this guidance and get grounded in our bodies. That is where our greatest wisdom lies.

We need to be the lighthouse in our own lives, shining brightly for ourselves and others as we start to trust ourselves to guide ourselves home. By standing sure in your own self-worth and your unique gifts that you have to o er to the world, you never know who you’re inspiring. And that includes yourself.

Nicky Rowbotham

Nicky Rowbotham is the author of Steps to Finding Flow – Flip the Script on Stress and Embrace Your Elegant Power – Your Path to Success with Ease, available in all good book stores, Amazon, Kindle, most audio formats and at nickyrowbotham.com

TIPS FOR WINTER WELLNESS

1 1

HYDRATE YOUR SKIN

Use products specifically formulated for dry skin. Think body butter, moisture-rich cleansers and moisturisers. When cleansing your face, avoid hot water, the heat can strip your skin of its natural oils, adding to the plight of dry skin. Consider adding a serum to your daily skincare routine. Serums are specially formulated to hydrate the skin and address some visible signs of ageing, such as fine lines and wrinkles. They are typically light in texture and packed with high concentrations of active ingredients necessary for optimal hydration. Some of the most potent ingredients found in serums include antioxidants, hyaluronic acid, botanical agents and peptides, all of which benefit the overall look and feel of the skin.

2

WINTER HAIRCARE

As the temperature drops, many of us will begin to feel the e ects of the colder weather on our hair and skin. Chilly conditions can leave our locks much more fragile as hair becomes susceptible to breakage and brittleness. Consider your scalp and use a nourishing hair oil formulated to penetrate both the skin and the hair follicle. Choose hydrating ingredients when selecting shampoos, conditioners and hair treatments. Think coconut, olive, jojoba and argan oils, and aloe vera. TIP Be sure to use a

As the cooler months roll in, our overall health and wellbeing can take a bit of a knock. Our skin tends to dry out, and so does our hair, and our general health and overall mindset can seek a quick pick-me-up to see us through.

TIP Apply daily sunscreen. The sun might be hiding behind clouds in winter, but that will not stop stop UV rays from penetrating through.

VITAMINS AND MINERALS BOOST

Vitamins and minerals are considered essential for general health and wellness.

■ Vitamin A helps boost the production and growth of immune cells.

■ Vitamin B12 can have a significant impact on energy levels and mood.

■ Vitamin C is well known as an immune booster and provides extra antioxidant protection against colds and flu.

■ Vitamin D, the ‘sunshine vitamin’, is produced in the body via sun exposure. Naturally, our sun exposure can be limited in winter, so adding a supplement is advised. A lack of Vitamin D can a ect your mental health and general outlook. So this one is a biggie to consider.

■ Zinc is another nutrient that helps create new cells and enzymes and boosts the speed of healing muscles and wounds.

TRY AROMATHERAPY

Aromatherapy oils have great benefits, whether using an oil burner or simply inhaling the oils from the palms of your hands. It is a great way to a ect our mood and outlook positively and can assist with some ailments, too. And it makes your home or workspace smell refreshed and inviting.

Citrus oils like bergamot, wild orange, grapefruit and lemongrass are known to lift the mood when energy levels are low.

SHOP WINTER WELLNESS WITH

MyEarth Bamboo + Ceramic Burner R150

Flawless by Gabrielle Union 3 Minute Restoring Conditioner 237 ml | R200

MyEarth Detangling Brush R71.99

Clicks Expert Vitamin B12 60 capsules | R159 GNC Vitamin C 90 capsules | R299

PURE BLISS

We L ve

SKINCARE / FRAGRANCES / BABY FASHION AND MORE

We chat to the founder and brains behind Lumi Glo, a vegan and cruelty-free skincare range

pg 94

Cream

6 BENEFITS IN 1 BEAUTY

NOW WITH ADDED BLUE LIGHT PROTECTION

•Evens tone

•Brightens skin

•24 hr hydration

•Perfecting primer

•SPF 15 Protection

There she glows There she glows

Entrepreneur, beauty influencer and make-up artist Shahnaz Cola-Wrensch is all about natural, glowing skin.

hahnaz Cola-Wrensch is the founder and brains behind Lumi Glo, a vegan and cruelty-free skincare range with CBD leaf extract as its hero ingredient. We chatted to Shahnaz about her brand’s journey, what inspired her to create the range, and what she has learnt along the way.

A PERSONAL JOURNEY

Shahnaz has been a make-up artist for the last 13 years and has worked with several magazines, including Elle, Marie Claire, Cosmo, and Glamour. “Becoming a make-up artist was really the start of my love for skincare,” she explains. “I always struggled with my skin as a teenager with breakouts, followed by eczema and pigmentation. I wasn’t taught how to take care of my skin, and back then, we didn’t have access to social media like we do now.

“When I started painting faces, I realised how key it was to really prep the skin. I also saw how confident the models were when I made their skin glow. I fell in love with that process.”

Shahnaz has worked as a beauty influencer for many years, an experience that has taught her a lot about skin and key skincare ingredients. And after su ering from skin issues of her own for many years, she realised something had to change. She struggled to find clean products for sensitive skin, so she created Lumi Glo while working as a blogger and makeup artist. “When the pandemic hit, it forced me to feel the fear and do it anyway and launch my own brand.”

A DREAM COME TRUE

Shahnaz was convinced to use CBD leaf extract in her products by a friend, and together with a manufacturer in Durban, she created what she describes as “skincare magic”. But the journey hasn’t always been easy. “It’s been hard work,” admits Shahnaz. “To be honest, I didn’t have a clue what I was doing at the time. I have a marketing degree, but things have changed so much since the ’90s.”

With hard work and determination, the first product to launch was a hydration booster sheet mask, and the range has since expanded to include several other sheet masks, eye masks, a jelly moisturiser, and a face mist. “I am all about skin minimalism and multi-tasking products that truly work.”

For Shahnaz, having her own skincare brand is a dream come true. “It was my dream to one day have my own brand focused on sensitive skin, but that could be used on all ages, woman or man,” she says.

As a make-up artist, her signature look is best described as a natural glow reflected in her products. “Skincare is an obsession,” she admits. “It’s a key part of my daily self-care ritual.”

www.lumigloskin.com

Shahnaz’s top tips

1 2 3

Use a face mist before applying a hyaluronic acid serum. This will allow the serum to penetrate the skin without stealing any of the skin’s hydration.

Keep your sheet and eye masks in the fridge to help reduce puffiness and inflammation of the skin.

To get that ‘lit from within’ look, add two to three drops of a liquid highlighter illuminator to your moisturiser.

I love using a sheer lipstick on my cheeks as a blush – it makes the skin glow.

A rose quartz gua sha stone is a favourite of mine to sculpt, lift and get that natural glow.

Lumi Glo The Dewy Glo Face Mist

Lumi Glo The Super Glo Hydro Boost Jelly Moisturiser

Lumi Glo The Skin Soother

Crushing ON CALI

skin

The newest addition to the Louis Vuitton Cologne Perfume collection, Pacific Chill, captures a sense of well-being, vitality and the pleasures that come from the light of a new day warming the skin.

It’s a fragrance with a cool, purifying vibe inspired by California’s renowned health and wellness culture. Pacific Chill was crafted to rally the senses, uplift the spirit and introduce a detox-like e ect.

It channels the regenerative vigour of the infinite ocean, an energizing force central to both body and spirit in search of a sense of balance and well-being.

Like a deep breath before a tranquil ocean, it stimulates all five senses and attunes them to the reawakening of life as the city slowly stirs under a crystalline sky. The fragrance has exhilarating notes of blackcurrant, carrot seed and aromatic herbs.

Master parfumer, Jacques Cavallier Belletrud, reveals: “Blackcurrant’s character is fickle, which I amplified with a blend of coriander and ambrette seeds, basil, peppermint and orange essence. Hence the lightning start, like the sensation of foliage brushing against the skin.”

He adds, “From the carrot seed, I extracted an essence developed in Grasse. That essence of carrot tempers the impact of the blackcurrant’s green tones, which are as frontal as a painting by Gauguin. The carrot has an iridescence, with creamy, velvety accents of apricot, date and fig. It brings a lot of depth; it lends structure. A hint of May Rose o ers floral sweetness and seals the alliance.”

The universal anti-aging Natural Hyaluronic Acid Encapsulated in a single

skin behaves as if it were 10 years younger

anti-aging concentrate for all skincare routines and all skin types, enriched with: • Niacinamide • single bottle, pleasure to the power of [10] and powerful anti-aging correction: of natural origin in pharmacies in france

The universal anti-aging concentrate for all skincare routines and all skin Natural Hyaluronic Acid • Niacinamide • Thousands of Micro-Spheres of fractionated Encapsulated in a single bottle, pleasure to the power of [10] and powerful wrinkles, firmness and dark spots.

HUGO

An intense interpretation of the original BOSS The Scent, this new fragrance for women captivates the senses with top notes of dark, textured osmanthus flower. Velvety ambrite seeds are at its heart, while the base features pure white musk for a powerful and sensual fragrance. 50 ml | R1 720

Scentsational

COACH GREEN

This new fragrance for men is fresh and vibrant with top notes of kiwi and bergamot. Middle notes include geranium and rosemary, while base notes combine cedar and moss. The scent is beautifully packaged in a green ombre-effect bottle, takings its cues from shades found in nature. 100 ml | R1 660

BURBERRY HER ELIXIR

A bold and sensual fragrance for women, Her Elixir de Parfum by Burberry is designed for those seeking adventure. The scent is intense, offering fruity gourmand notes alongside dark berries and jasmine, as well as vanilla and amber. The bottle comes in opaque pink, featuring Burberry lettering at the base.

100 ml | R2 415

GUCCI BLOOM INTENSE

Mesmerising and sensual, this new addition to the Gucci Bloom Garden features a radiant top note of ginger and orange blossom and a floral heart of jasmine sambac and tuberose. Patchouli essence and crystal moss accord add a gorgeous earthiness. The scent comes in a distinctive square bottle embellished with a red Toile de Jouy

Herbarium Gucci print.

100 ml | R2 915

MONTBLANC SIGNATURE ABSOLUE

A floral scent for women, Signature Absolue is radiant with top notes of pear, mandarin orange and pink pepper. Middle notes include ylang-ylang, frangipani and tuberose, with tonka bean and cedar on the base. The scent was designed by perfumers Meabh McCurtin and Anne Flipo as a tribute to women’s creative soul. 90 ml | R1 599

Q BY DOLCE & GABBANA

With fruity notes and a strong, woody base, this scent combines fresh Sicilian lemons with the sweet and sour flavours of cherry. The result is a beautiful balance of refined and bold. The fragrance comes in a heavy-glass bottle with a cap featuring a regal gold and cherry red crown. 100 ml | R2 905

ARMANI

A woody powdery bouquet, this scent for women blends bright solar tuberose with the majestic blue iris pallida. Thanks to an innovative refill system, as well as sustainable ingredients sourcing and biodiversity protection, the parfum has reduced its impact on the environment. 90 ml | R3 280

MY WAY LE PARFUM

“The beauty of fragrance is that it speaks to your heart and hopefully someone else’s.” – Elizabeth Taylor. Indulge in this season’s must-have fragrance scentsations.

BOSS THE SCENT MAGNETIC

Precious

BY JENNIFER CAMPBELL

or the very first time, Louis Vuitton has released a collection designed especially for newborns. It’s all about playful elegance and includes clothes, shoes, accessories and objects.

THE INSPIRATION

This unique baby collection combines elements from Louis Vuitton’s history, its contemporary spirit and visual identity. But, the idea to create pieces for little ones is not new. In fact, toys were first introduced to the Maison’s Salon de Jouets Champs-Elysees store in the 1930s.

It brings together everyday pieces and special occasion styles in a thoughtfully curated range. The palette combines soft neutrals like milky white, sandy dune and tonal greys with pastel hues and the occasional bold splash of bright yellow.

Soft and sweet, this new collection for little ones is a first from Louis Vuitton.

LITTLE WARDROBE ESSENTIALS

The collection includes all baby’s clothing essentials, sized up to 12 months. Items include onesies, co-ordinating outfits, pyjamas, a dress and a double-faced hooded coat. The aesthetic is adorable and unmistakably chic, with gorgeous details throughout; think monogram flowers, mother-of-pearl buttons, and small embroideries.

THE SWEETEST ACCESSORIES

The range comprises cute accessories, including two shoe styles embellished with monogram perforations. Choose from Mary Janes or Babies in white and pink or gorgeous little booties in white or dune with yellow laces. Knitted slippers and

flower beanies are perfect for winter and will keep little ones toasty throughout the cooler months. And bibs, socks and other small accessories all feature discreet Louis Vuitton signatures.

Other accessories include a knitted monogram blanket and a thicker MeliMelo blanket that can be used as a play mat.

WHIMSICAL OBJECTS

A representation of a beautiful new world, the collection boasts some timeless items destined to become life-long keepsakes. A Louis Vuitton teddy bear, small travel cases, a silver rattle, and a specially designed wardrobe trunk are all beautifully crafted from fine materials and incorporate subtle and playful signatures from the Maison.

GOLDEN HOUR

Morgenster Estate is well known for its prestigious wines but also for its award-winning olive oil range. Now, the range has gone through a makeover, and we are all here for it. Move over old-world design, and welcome the new, elegant, trendy labels.

The new, elegant, minimalistic and modern design allows the exceptional quality of Morgenster’s extra virgin olive oils to shine. With the intention of revisiting the origin to get to the true essence of their brand’s image, the unique logomark showcases the Morgenster ‘M’ and the estate’s iconic Morning Star in an exciting design shift. To complete the range, the estate’s European influence inspired the chosen Mediterranean colour palette complementing Morgenster’s prominent blue.

SAME QUALITY, SAME HERITAGE

In 1994, founder Giulio Bertrand imported 17 superior Italian olive varieties and planted 42 hectares of olive trees on the estate’s rocky soils. The estate’s first extra virgin olive oils were released into the market in 1998. With an inherited philosophy of ‘where there is quality, there is no compromise’ today, his legacy continues with his daughter, Federica and granddaughter, Vittoria, at the helm. Their passion for quality is testament to the premium products produced, and they are inspired to celebrate the estate’s history and push it into a new era of excellence and innovation.

The range includes four extra virgin olive oils and a balsamic vinegar.

EXTRA

VIBRANT

Morgenster’s award-winning Extra Virgin Olive Oil is a premium blend of up to 14 of its finest Italian olive varieties. Its well-balanced, fresh and fruity flavour has been perfected over decades and enjoyed by foodies, chefs and families worldwide.

DELICATE

BALANCED &

Savour this velvety extra virgin olive oil blend produced in small batches and made from specially selected cultivars. Its pale golden colour, velvety texture, and soft fruity flavour is delicious.

VIRGIN OLIVE OIL

& VERSATILE

EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL

SUBTLE

DON CARLO EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL

BOLD & ROBUST

This single-varietal extra virgin olive oil is made from Don Carlo olives. Its extraordinary, bold flavour has acquired accolades from the world’s most acclaimed competitions.

LEMON-ENHANCED EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL

ZESTY & TASTY

This zesty extra virgin olive oil is made by carefully combining the oil from cold-pressed lemon peel with the finest blend of extra virgin olive oil. The bright citrus flavour is fresh and lively.

Morgenster Estate is situated in Somerset West, against the foothills of the impressive Helderberg Mountains and is open every day for olive oil and wine tastings. For more information on the award-winning range of wines and extra virgin olive oils, visit www.morgenster.co.za

ITALIAN BALSAMIC VINEGAR

TANGY & COMPLEX

Completing the range is the Italian Balsamic Vinegar, which is made in Italy and bottled on the estate. In collaboration with authentic Italian producers, the result is an exceptional balsamic vinegar using strictly traditional methods.

WHERE VITICULTURE AND CREATIVE CULTURE MEET.

WHERE VITICULTURE AND CREATIVE CULTURE MEET.

Iconic natural surroundings and the creative energy of our people come together to create a perfect collection of wines and experiences. Try one of our unique tastings or enjoy the spectacular views and dining at our award-winning restaurant, The Tangram. For more information, or to make a restaurant booking, visit www.durbanvillehills.co.za or call 021 558 1000.

Iconic natural surroundings and the creative energy of our people come together to create a perfect collection of wines and experiences. Try one of our unique tastings or enjoy the spectacular views and dining at our award-winning restaurant, The Tangram. For more information, or to make a restaurant booking, visit www.durbanvillehills.co.za or call 021 558 1000.

@DurbanvilleHills

#DurbanvilleHills

#DurbanvilleHillsWine

@DurbanvilleHills

#DurbanvilleHills

#DurbanvilleHillsWine

THE PAIRINGS

■ Durbanville Hills Cabernet Sauvignon with Coffee and Hazelnut

■ Durbanville Hills Merlot with Dark Chocolate Mint and Raspberry

■ Durbanville Hills Pinotage with Dark Chocolate Cherry and Turkish Delight

■ Durbanville Hills Shiraz with Cinnamon and Nutmeg

Each tasting includes four wines, four chocolate bombs, and hot milk to prepare your own unique tasting. The bomb, when added to the warm milk, will release the chocolate and individual flavours once melted. How much wine to add would be a personal preference but a few dashes at the start will reveal the perfect balance of wine and hot chocolate.

HOT CHOCOLATE AND WINE TASTING

Indulge!

Durbanville Hills has welcomed back a light-hearted treat for winter: their popular hot chocolate and wine tasting!

From June until the end of August, the winery will o er a limited-edition hot chocolate tasting of four red wines, each paired with four di erent hand-crafted chocolate bombs, to add to a cup of steaming hot milk.

The tasting forms part of the winery’s creative exploration of flavours by pairing its cool climate wines with interesting foods to enrich the appreciation of its award-winning wines. The silky-smooth indulgence and the depth the wine brings to the hot chocolate, make this an unmissable experience.

Where Durbanville Hills, Cape Town Cost R160 Bookings www.durbanvillehills.co.za

The

things simple

Sarah Graham’s new book celebrates natural, whole foods.

Good + Simple is a brand-new book by award-winning cooking show host Sarah Graham. This new o ering celebrates vegetables and whole foods in the accessible style for which she is known and loved. Good + Simple results from learning how to live, cook and eat through a global pandemic. For cooking show host Sarah Graham, this meant adapting to new routines and learning to be more flexible in her own cooking and eating. Through this process, she reworked many of her family favourites to be as fast and easy as possible and to take up minimal time and energy. The book is a beautiful collection of wholesome recipes for the whole family. Each dish is specifically designed to be easily achieved with simple ingredients, and the dishes cover a variety of dietary preferences and needs. Highlights include smoky bean tacos, Happy Life noodle bowls, and peppermint crisp pudding pots.

SMOKY BEAN TACOS

Ready in 20 minutes

WHAT YOU NEED

1 red onion, diced Olive oil

1 clove garlic, crushed

1 tsp smoked sweet paprika

1 tsp ground cumin

1 tsp brown sugar

1/2 tsp each ground coriander, dried mixed herbs, and dried chilli flakes (optional)

Salt and black pepper, to taste

2 Tbsp tomato paste

1 can whole peeled tomatoes

2 cans kidney beans, drained

TO SERVE

Taco shells + cabbage slaw drizzled with a little olive oil and lemon juice + chopped avo + thinly sliced red onion + fresh coriander + sour cream + lime wedges

WHAT TO DO

n Fry the onion with a dash of olive oil over medium heat for 8–10 minutes, until softened. Add the garlic, spices and dried mixed herbs. Season with salt and pepper, and cook for another 2–3 minutes. n Add the tomato paste and cook for a minute. Add the canned tomatoes and mash roughly using a wooden spoon. Stir in the beans and leave to simmer, uncovered, for 15 minutes.

n Meanwhile, preheat the oven or air-fryer to 190ºC and prepare all your toppings for serving. Warm the taco shells in the oven or air-fryer for 3–4 minutes just before serving. Serve everything together on a platter so everyone can assemble their own taco.

FLEXITARIAN FOOTNOTE: FRY 250 G MINCED MEAT OF YOUR CHOICE WITH THE ONIONS.

SERVES 4–6

HAPPY LIFE NOODLE BOWLS

Ready in 15 minutes

WHAT YOU NEED

150 g egg noodles or brown rice noodles

1 Tbsp olive oil

250 g mixed mushrooms, roughly chopped 100 g edamame beans

100 g tenderstem broccoli

Salt and black pepper, to taste

FOR THE SAUCE

1/4 cup hoisin sauce

1–2 Tbsp fresh lime or lemon juice

1 Tbsp sesame oil

1 tsp grated fresh ginger

TO SERVE

Chopped fresh coriander + 1 Tbsp toasted sesame seeds or small handful roughly chopped roasted salted peanuts

WHAT TO DO

n Cook the noodles according to the packet instructions, drain and set aside. n Add the olive oil to a large non-stick pan over medium-high heat. Add the mushrooms and fry for 8–10 minutes, or until golden. Stir through the edamame beans and broccoli and cook for 2 minutes. Season with salt and pepper, then turn o the heat.

n Whisk together the ingredients for the sauce and adjust to taste.

n Divide the noodles between 2 serving bowls and top with the mushrooms and greens. Drizzle over the sauce and any optional garnishes, and enjoy.

FLEXITARIAN FOOTNOTE: THIS MAKES A GREAT ACCOMPANIMENT FOR ROASTED SALMON OR RAINBOW TROUT. ROAST YOUR PORTIONS OF FISH, UNCOVERED, IN A 190OC OVEN FOR 7 MINUTES.

PEPPERMINT CRISP PUDDING POTS

Preparation time: 15 minutes Ÿ Setting time: 1 hour

WHAT YOU NEED

8 Tennis biscuits or shortbread squares

2 cups whipping cream

1 can Nestlé Caramel Treat

3 x 49 g Nestlé Peppermint Crisp chocolate bars, crushed in their packets

WHAT TO DO

n Crush the biscuits in a mixing bowl using the end of a rolling pin or wooden spoon, and divide between 8 pretty serving bowls or glasses.

n Wipe out the same mixing bowl and add the cream. Beat with an electric hand mixer until soft peaks form. Add the Caramel Treat and mix again until smooth. Fold in 2 of the crushed Peppermint Crisp chocolate bars and divide the mixture among the serving bowls.

n Refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or until serving. Scatter the remaining crushed Peppermint Crisp over the puddings just before serving.

About Sarah

Sarah Graham grew up in Zimbabwe and is now based in Johannesburg. She started her food blog (afoodieliveshere.com) in 2010, and it quickly gained popularity both locally and abroad. She is now a SAFTA award-winning cooking show host, and her TV series Sarah Graham’s Food Safari has aired in South Africa and over 40 other countries worldwide. Sarah is passionate about cooking and believes anyone can create wholesome, delicious meals.

hose of us heading into the prime years of adulthood will be glad to know that age is good. Well, in wine terms, anyway. And we are not talking about the accepted notion of wines gaining complexity, nuance and eternal glow as they age in the bottle for a few decades. The big talk at the moment is that of old vineyards, the assumption being that wines made from vineyards, which have been rooted into the earth for a long, long time produce grapes capable of making exceptional wines.

In South Africa, this theory has been put into practice by a unique Old Vine Project set up a few years back. Founded by an extraordinary viticulturist and nature lover named Rosa Kruger, the Old Vine Project has gained international recognition for the South African wine industry by identifying old vineyards of 35 years and older spread throughout the Winelands. Along with this, the project draws attention to the premise that grapes from an older vine o er unique character to the wine from which said grapes are made; this is the result of these plants’ maturity.

It looks good on paper: those vines standing for decades under fierce hot summers and stormy winters, adapting to their environment and gaining a confident maturity and grizzled personality, reflected in the ensuing grapes and wine.

Yet the Old Vine Project is quick to add that it is not saying old vines of 35 years and more make better wines. The wines are just di erent, with distinct aspects flowing from the aged, weathered and hardy vineyards.

If the story grabs you, as it has me, one will ask why most of South Africa’s old vineyards are those of the Chenin Blanc variety. Well, first of all, it is believed Chenin Blanc was among the vines from which the first Cape wines were made back in 1659. And since then, it has spent decades at the top of the list of the most planted wine grape in South Africa, for a long time snubbed by wine-bu s owing to the fact that Chenin was mainly used to distil brandy and to make gazillion litres of innocuous cheap bulk wine. It is thus logical that because of its history as the most planted variety in the Cape, many of the old vineyards lying around are Chenin Blanc.

No discussion on old South African vineyards can thus omit Chenin Blanc, nor the person that is Ken Forrester from Stellenbosch.

Back in the 1990s, he came to the Cape to make great wine and was amazed to see all this Chenin Blanc lying around, which no serious winemaker was paying attention to. The status that Chenin Blanc, especially Chenin made from old vines, enjoyed today can be largely attributed to Ken. His personality, persuasiveness, self-belief and the fine wines he makes took Chenin from the moth-balls to the forefront of the country’s wine o erings.

Ken Forrester Old Vine Reserve Chenin Blanc 2022 is a perfect example of what happens when mature vineyards and this famous Cape grape variety are harnessed by a winemaker respecting history, soil and fruit.

The wine is made from three di erent sites in Stellenbosch; old vines with a lowish yield of six to eight tons per hectare. Chenin Blanc grows like the clappers, young vines easily delivering 25 tons per hectare. But older vines mean lower yields and smaller bunches and berries. More concentrated wisdom in the fruit from which the wine is made.

Ken matures the wine for eight months in French oak, 20% of which is new wood to give the wine the noble complexity and discernible seriousness his wines are known for. What one is getting here is brilliant freshness resulting from the brisk, firm acids older vines provide in their fruit. And on this zip ride, layer-upon-layer of gorgeous white fruit and flowers, with a hint of honeysuckle. Expect juicy pear notes, bruised apple and winter melon with a tad of spice. I think the deft palate weight and lingering presence this wine has on the senses is a result of its old, gnarled, expressive vineyards.

The red grape that is Cinsault was once also a work-horse of the local wine industry, grown in spectacular abundance. Over the past 30 years, it has been ripped up to plant more vogueish cultivars, yet Cinsault is making a comeback as a wine, thanks to its charm as a thoroughly enjoyable red.

Out in Citrusdal, the Piekenierskloof Winery makes Cinsault from vineyards planted in 1976 in those hardy far-flung conditions. Growing on sandy loam soils, the vines are unirrigated and thus dependent on the skies’ opening. Yields are only five tons per hectare, and once fermented, the juice is allowed to rest for 12 months in large oak barrels of older wood.

Cinsault is sometimes called ‘the poor man’s Pinot Noir’ as a result of its vibrant accessibility, something sterner red grapes like Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz can’t o er. But for me, Cinsault need not su er by comparison, for it is a fine and unique red wine in its own right.

The Piekenierskloof Cinsault 2020 has an intoxicating aroma of

dried flowers and nutmeg, and once in the mouth, it is nothing but a joy. It is juicy and sprightly with flavours of cherry, plum and raspberry, all harnessed by a slight oceanic saltiness. A savoury edge, too, will develop as the wine matures. But now it is just fine, and owing to its expansive flavour profile of fruit, I would suggest chilling the wine a touch before enjoying it, which you will most certainly do.

Chardonnay began its journey at the Cape only in the late 1970s, so there are not many old vines of this great variety to be found. One is at Haute Cabrière in Franschhoek, where the winery does justice to the old lady by fermenting and maturing it in old clay amphorae; yes, the same clay jugs the ancient Romans and Greeks used for their wines.

The Haute Cabrière Amphora Chardonnay 2021 is Chardonnay at its finest, truly, and I have no doubt the old vineyards bring a wonderful aspect to this variety. Taut and austere in the first sip, the wine opens to reveal runs of citrus and some grilled nuts within an overriding presence of what can only be termed genuine minerality. Old is gold. Trust me.

NEW WINES FOR WINTER

Treat your palate with a new release this season.

As the temperatures plummet and the days shorten, few things are better than a good glass of wine. And when it comes to local options, there is a plethora of new wines on o er. From light bubbles to velvety Chardonnay and aromatic Sauvignon Blanc, our round-up includes something for every palate.

BONNIEVALE ROSÉ MOSCATO PERLÉ

Fun and refreshing, this wine is made from Muscat de Frontignan grapes and has an alcohol content of just 8.5 percent. Part of The River Collection by Bonnievale Winery, the wine is elegantly fruity and light. It has a beautiful dusky pink hue and bursts with flavours of succulent berries and the slightest hint of bubbles. The Rosé pairs well with spicy dishes, light salads and sushi. R73 per bottle

BLAAUWKLIPPEN

MALBEC 2021

Ideal for the cooler weather, this offering from Blaauwklippen forms part of the wine farm’s premium selection. Grapes were handpicked before undergoing the relevant processes and were left to mature in French oak barrels for 12 months before bottling. The result is a wine with full-bodied notes of mulberry, cassis and berry flavours and aromas of dark chocolate. R250 per bottle

LA

MOTTE CHARDONNAY 2022

This elegant Chardonnay boasts fruity nectarine and citrus blossom notes, with hints of cashew nut and baked bread on the nose. The palate is juicy and polished –think succulent peach and citrus. Although wood-matured in French oak barrels for 12 months, the wine is fresh with velvety undertones. It pairs beautifully with seafood, subtle spice and cheese. R170 per bottle

KLEINE

ZALZE CAPE NECTAR BLANC

This off-dry sparkling wine forms part of the first range of Cap Classiques in the Nectar range. The Kleine Zalze Cape Nectar Blanc is crafted from 70 percent Chardonnay and 30 percent Pinot Noir and boasts notes of green apple, brioche and lemon zest. This light Cap Classique has a honey-suckle brightness and an expansive mouthfeel, which leads to a clean, lasting off-dry finish. R162 per bottle

PERDEBERG’S LIGHTHEARTED SPARKLING ROSÉ

Packaged in a beautiful bottle, this bubbly is low in alcohol and packed with aromas of fresh cherries, candy floss and berries. Sweet watermelon and berries play on the palate for a floral and refreshing flavour. To ensure a lower alcohol content, skin contact was given briefly to extract colour, and only the free-run juice was used. The sparkling Rosé is best served chilled. R100 per bottle

DURBANVILLE

This vintage from Durbanville truly expresses the winemaking styles for which the valley is known. It is a collaboration of the region’s 13 producers and represents a shared vision. The result is an aromatic blend with a prominent acid structure and balance. The wine has harnessed the characteristics of the season’s early and later-harvested fruit, showing notes of tropical fruit and fresh-cut grass. R120 per bottle

SOUTHERN

This Pinotage is the first wine launched by Akkedisberg Boerdery, a company with a trust as shareholders and beneficiaries. It is a culmination of hard work by the Dreyer family and their workers, who embarked on a journey to build a dream. A limited number of the Southern Treasure Pinotage 2021 has been released. It is a wine with aromas of ripe cherry, blackberry, plum and light hints of oak. R300 per bottle

TREASURES PINOTAGE 2021

SAUVIGNON BLANC 2023

Less than 200 km from Cape Town and halfway to the Garden Route, I recently explored a pristine pocket of paradise in the picturesque Cape Fold Mountains of the Overberg district. Melozhori left me speechless with all it has to offer and its pure magic that encapsulated me throughout my stay.

BY JARED RUTTENBERG

MELOZHORI MAGIC

The dazzle of zebra was hardly phased by our presence. Apart from two bontebok that seemed very happy joining the striped creatures, it was only us. There wasn’t a hint of civilisation in the tens of kilometres of view.

Above, giant clouds made their slow pilgrimage across the sky, spreading their shadows over the ground below. With the mighty Langeberg mountains reaching up to the sky in dramatic peaks in the background, this was a sight to behold, and I silently cursed myself for not visiting earlier.

The term ‘hidden gem’ is often bandied about but in Melozhori’s case, it is so true. This private nature reserve is quietly tucked away in the folds of the Cape Fold Mountains.

At 2 300 hectares. this is another South African rewilding story. At the vision of its owners, the Bhorat family, the Melozhori has transformed the cattle-grazing land into prime wilderness; many of the species that once roamed the landscape have now been reintroduced.

The accommodation in the reserve is not overwhelming; at full capacity you will find around 20 guests; even then, spread across the various sleeping options. First is the eight-sleeper lodge and then the family cottage. Having had my share of beautiful lodges and cottage stays, I was after something rather di erent.

Melozhori o ers two guests per night, the privilege of staying in their two pods. Driving in, it looks like a giant rectangled UFO, with curved corners, had simply landed in the landscape. Make no mistake they’re modern, but with the wooden sides and biophilic-styled décor, they’re perfectly at peace with their environment, o ering a modern window into the wild.

The oversized veranda houses a braai, a wood-fired hot tub and cargo nets for star gazing. The kitchen is fully stocked and operates on a selfcatering basis but there is also a semi-catering option. Simply order your choices from a menu of options, and everything is delivered to your pod ... and come hungry because Melozhori sure knows how to cater.

For those who have experienced game viewing in the traditional Highveld or savannah setting, Melozhori o ers something unique as gira e and antelope graze the mix of renosterveld, fynbos and thicket.

Since there are no predators, guests are free to walk, cycle or run out in the open. For those who do enjoy the feel of a game-viewing vehicle, a drive is included for all guests. The excursion takes in the expanse of the reserve, with the expert knowledge of one of the guides. I set out ambitiously wanting to tick o as many of the 38-mammal species found on the reserve. Returning almost three hours later we had spotted at least 10 of them, including the rare sable and two spritely young gira es.

Returning from the game drive, there was something else I was about to tick o – an overnight stay in possibly one of the Western Cape’s most unique accommodation options.

Melozhori’s crowning glory is its doublestorey Treehouse. The modern structure extends out of the mountain, gazing proudly down the valley below. You enter via the open-plan kitchen, dining room and lounge, which transition onto a veranda with a braai. Downstairs, the spacious bedroom and bathroom spill out onto the veranda, also with a wood-fired hot tub, cargo-net star beds and two outdoor showers.

A large tree trunk dissects each storey. The ceilings spread out from there, decorated with the shapes of leaves and branches, which are hand-carved out and serve as gentle lighting. What's more, there’s an uber-impressive sound system, so when you want to play your favourite tunes, the speakers scattered throughout the treehouse have you covered.

Once again, we opted for the semi-catering basis, this time choosing the make-your-own pizzas. Both the Treehouse and pods have built-in pizza ovens. We merely followed our guide’s simple instructions. It could not have been any easier, even for a virgin pizza-oven operator like myself. Continental breakfast items were included, along with a platter that kept us busy over lunch.

In this beautiful context far from the helter-skelter of normal life, the only dilemma is where to spend the last hours of the day before the sounds of the wild lull you to sleep: sitting warmed by the dancing flames of the fire pit, reclining in the hot tub with a glass of port, or lying on the cargo nets staring at the blanket of a million stars overhead. melozhori.co.za

hours in 48 Istanbul

Sandwiched between Europe and Asia, and straddling the modern and ancient worlds, Istanbul is alive with cultural, shopping and dining must-dos. Make the most of a short stay with some insider and vetted insight.

BY VICKI SLEET

Long a hotbed of vastly differing cultures, languages and creeds, Istanbul is truly a city that never sleeps. Its where Imams’ calls to prayer echo across the waters of the Bosphorus from sunrise to sundown; where ships, massive ferries and small fishing craft jostle for space in the choppy waters; and where thousands of locals and tourists stride down the famous pedestrianised shopping district İstiklal Caddesi, looking for bargains and new fashion buys. If you are looking for an exotic destination, evocative culture and cuisine, and shopping that ranges from haggled-down market buys to high-end designers, then Istanbul is it.

Stay

You will never not find a room in Istanbul. From the palatial splendour of the Pera Palace (perapalace.com) overlooking the Golden Horn to quirky Airbnbs, fear not; you are covered. The boutique hotel business has boomed in Istanbul in the past few years, and these are often squeezed into some of the most interesting buildings in town. In the old quarter of Sultahnamet and a stone’s throw from the Blue Mosque, Hotel Ibrahim Pasha (ibrahimpasha.com) is owned by Mehmet Umur. It has a rooftop terrace and comfy rooms, and his curated walking guides are a great added value. Travelling on a budget? You can easily get a comfortable and clean Airbnb from R1 200 a night; like Superhost Emre’s spot, a 40 m2 bolthole in the heart of Tomtom, one of Galatasary’s achingly cool quarters and around the corner from the Instagrammable Antre Gourmet (@ antregouremet) deli and Muz (muz.se), a plant-filled lifestyle store and café.

Above: The Pera Palace was the first building – other than the imperial palaces – in the Ottoman Empire to be powered by electricity. It was also the only building to provide hot running water for its guests and was home to the first electric elevator in Constantinople.

Left: The Blue Mosque, also known by its official name, the Sultan Ahmed Mosque, is an Ottoman-era historical imperial mosque located in Istanbul.

Eat

Be prepared to make all-day dining an integral part of your Istanbul time. The city is home to some 15 million people, and there are thousands of vendors and restaurants to feed them (plus all the visitors). Simit carts (the sesame-crusted hard rolls are a Turkish breakfast staple) are ubiquitous, as are döhner stands, glossy European-style patisseries, edgy diners and trendy rooftop restaurants with beautiful views of the Bosphorus and beyond.

Breakfast Once you have enjoyed a Turkish breakfast plate, you may never want to start the day any other way again. White cheese is the anchor point, then a fried or boiled egg, olives, crisp cucumber slices and sweet tomatoes. Add slices of crusty white bread, and you’re good to go.

Brunch For some people-spotting and pre-shopping sustenance, head to Besiktas’ Kahvaliticlar Sokagi or ‘breakfast street’, where brunch is something of a cult. Do try Menemen, it is Turkey’s delicious answer to Shakshuka. Walk o your brunch by heading to the Dolmabahçe Palace, an extraordinary and ornate example of Ottoman architecture and might, on the banks of the Bosphorus.

Lunch Catch a ferry to the Asian side of Istanbul for a bite to eat at the famously nofrills Çiya Sofrasi (ciya.com.tr) and if you are around on that side for dinner, Bridge Restaurant (@bridgerestaurant) has one of the most extraordinary views in Istanbul. Pastries, sweetmeats, baklava and Turkish delight are part and parcel of a Turkish experience (and don’t forget the gelato). Savoy Pastanesi (@savoypastanesi) in Cihangir (Beyoğlu) has been serving up freshly baked treats since 1950 and is widely regarded as one of the best in the city.

Dinner and drinks Cocktails or dinner with a view are a must in Istanbul. Galata Bridge has tourist-focused seafood eateries that, despite the elevated prices, still o er one of the best sunset views in the city. Stop for a beer and some mezze starters before heading elsewhere for dinner.

Dinner You are spoilt for choice in Istanbul. Galatasaray is where you’ll find some modern renditions of traditional Turkish and cheaper hole-in-the-walls where locals retire after a long day. Tomtom Kebap (@tomtomkebap), where everything is cooked over an open grill in the tiny space, is a no-frills cool spot in Tomtom (Beyoğlu). Meanwhile, for an upscale experience, head for Tom Tom’s Serenita Pera (@serenitapera), where chefs Aylin Yazıcıoğlu and Gülseren Onanç wow local and visiting foodies alike in their converted chapel bistro. Sultahnamet is a hotbed of ‘Ottoman’ cuisine; a little touristy but that is what you are when you’re in Istanbul. And honestly, Anatolian Testi (clay pot stew) is something you will never forget.

Shop

The most touted shopping experience in Istanbul is the Grand Bazaar, with over 4000 stores and market booths under ancient domed passages in the old district of Sultahnamet. It’s a must for a first-timer, for sure, and if you are in the market for fashion replicas, head here. It’s loud, hot and busy ... and resonable haggling is part of the experience. But a wander down the frenetic, cobbled surrounding streets, past the people selling everything from scarves to sewing machines to the Egyptian (or Spice) Market will give you that hit of stepping into a truly exotic world. The spices are superb. Buy oregano mixes to use at home (a Turkish staple) or ask your vendor to mix up your own herb and spice mixes for you for everything from chicken and fish to vegetables and eggs. If it’s edgier, high street or big brand fashion you’re after, then Beyoğlu and Nisantesi are where you need to be. In Beyoğlu, independent, niche boutiques o er a welcome break from the Balenciaga fakes; Cucukurma is where antique, junk and vintage clothing stores beckon and in uptown Nisantesi, you will find boutiques and the likes of Chanel et al.

QUICK GLANCE

Sultahnamet : First-time must do; the ancient heart of Istanbul with historical landmarks, shopping and dining.

Beyoğlu : The area encompasses Karaköy down at the water, Galatasaray with the Galata bridge, adjacent Çucukurma, Cihangirf and Tomtom with their narrow streets, edgy eateries, boutiques, coffee shops, galleries, bars and clubs and the main drag of İstiklal Caddesi that takes you up to Taksim Square.

Nisantesi and Beșiktaș : Where upscale Istanbul residents live, work and play. Also home to beautiful Democracy Park, polished boutiques and marble sidewalks aplenty.

Asian side : Great for a second-time visit as it is less touristy and boasts authentic eateries.

Above: The Grand Bazaar, a must for first-timers

Below: The Hagia Sophia Mosque, one of Istanbul’s most remarkable monuments

GETTING AROUND

Istanbul is easily navigable on foot but it also has excellent bus, tram and metro services, which might save your legs. Top tip: buy a multiple-day public transport travel card at the airport as you arrive (istanbulepass.com). The machines at tram and metro stations are confusing and require small money denominations, and there are very friendly and seemingly helpful scamsters that can confuse matters.

The Bosphorus Bridge is famous for its important transport routes, connecting parts of Europe to Turkey

A grand affair

BY VANN VAN STADEN

Meet the Audi S8. Audi’s arsenal of premium high-performance grand saloons just welcomed its latest member to its South African o ering. It's extremely rare that grand saloons combine luxury and performance with such finesse. The S8 has achieved this and so much more. Standing in a league of its own, the S8 produces an astronomical 420 kW of power. This power, linked with its luxury design is winning straight o the starting block.

The S8 is a remarkable piece of German engineering, based on Audi’s A8. It houses all the luxury o erings of massaging seats, including leather trimmings all round and the best in infotainment o erings. The cabin is super quiet, similar to

what we have grown to love in the A8; the only di erence here is the performance. Starting with the suspension, the S8 has superior handling on the road, turning this into the ultimate performance saloon. The Predictive Active Suspension is incredible. It makes use of a camera to scan the road and plan ahead by adjusting its ride height to its surroundings, ensuring the smoothest ride possible. Playing in the same league as the Maserati Quattroporte, the S8 does not disappoint.

The S8 is powered by a potent 4.0l V8 twin-turbo motor that delivers 420 kW and 800 Nm of torque that’s mated with an 8-speed automatic gearbox. This quattro all-wheel-drive pony from Audi does the 0–100 km/h sprint in 3.8 seconds and will set you back a cool R2 759 000.

BOOK CLUB

Curl up this winter with a book from our top selection.

THE PINK HOUSE

This brand-new novel from Sunday Times bestselling author Catherine Alliott tells the story of Emma and Hugh. When Hugh’s parents get divorced, he is offered the Pink House, the family home he grew up in. But taking it on means they must accept everything (and everyone) that comes with it. Then, Emma runs into an ex-lover and is forced to think about what might have been. Cover price: R340

THE HAPPINESS CURE: HOW TO HACK YOUR EVOLUTIONARY BRAIN TO FIND PURPOSE AND FEEL BETTER

Written by leading psychiatrist and viral TedX speaker Dr Anders Hansen, this book offers a radical new way to think about fulfilment. His work blends neuroscientific research and empirical breakthroughs with stories of ordinary individuals to suggest that resetting our perspective on happiness may be possible. Hansen reveals ways to find lasting contentment by adopting an evolutionary take on life.

Cover price: R350

THE MAKING OF ANOTHER MAJOR MOTION PICTURE MASTERPIECE

From Academy Award-winning actor and bestselling author Tom Hanks, this novel is the wildly ambitious story of making a multimillion-dollar superhero action film and the humble comic book that inspired it. Throughout the book, we meet a cast of characters spanning 80 years as the world of show business –and the real world – is reflected in their stories.

Cover price: R380

FREELANCE LIKE A BOSS

Written

by Shea Karssing,

this book guides frustrated freelancers and stunted in-house employees who want to create sustainable, successful businesses. The book is packed with pros and cons lists, personal anecdotes, honest insight into the freelance world, and plenty of tips and ideas on managing one’s time, paying the correct tax, and negotiating contracts.

Cover price: R240

SENSITIVE: THE POWER OF A THOUGHTFUL MIND IN AN OVERWHELMING WORLD

This fascinating read explores the traits of highly sensitive people and offers new ways for sensitives to unlock their potential and enjoy success in school, work, life and love. The book, written by Jenn Granneman and Andre Sólo, is based on over 20 years of research in neuroscience, psychology and human genetics.

Cover price: R369

HELLO BEAUTIFUL

Written by bestselling author Ann Napolitano, this novel tells the story of the four Padvano girls, who are considered inseparable by their close-knit family in Chicago. The story captures what it means to be family, with all its joy, tragedy, trust and betrayals. Buckle up for a tale of heartbreak, love and loyalty.

Cover price: R340

THE WELLLIVED LIFE

In The Well-Lived Life , Dr Gladys McGarey, the mother of holistic medicine and a practising doctor at the age of 102, reveals her secrets for living with joy and vitality at any age. The book offers a counterintuitive approach to living a full life that is not about conserving energy but by spending it wildly. Expect stories of miraculous healing, as well as anecdotes from an extraordinary life.

Cover price: R395

STOCKISTS

Style

Available at ARC, Dis-Chem, Edgars, Foschini, Woolworths

DIESEL www.diesel.co.za

FREEDOM OF MOVEMENT www.freedomofmovement.co.za

GUESS www.guess.co.za

Available at Dis-Chem, Edgars, Foschini

OLD KHAKI www.oldkhaki.co.za

POETRY www.poetrystores.co.za

Winter wellness

CLICKS www.clicks.co.za

ETHNOGENICS www.clicks.co.za

EXPERT SUPPLEMENTS www.clicks.co.za

FLAWLESS BY GABRIELLE UNION www.clicks.co.za

MYEARTH www.clicks.co.za

SORBET clicks.co.za

THE BODY SHOP www.thebodyshop.co.za

We love fragrances

Available at ARC, Dis-Chem, Edgars, Foschini, Woolworths

Available at ARC, Edgars, Foschini

COACH Available at ARC, Dis-Chem, Clicks, Edgars, Foschini, Truworths, Woolworths

Available at ARC, Edgars, Foschini, Woolworths

Available at ARC, Edgars, Foschini, Woolworths

Available at ARC, Dis-Chem, Foschini, Woolworths

Available at Edgars, Foschini, Truworths, Woolworths