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Archive | July, 2011

Bay of Plenty Skate Park

By on July 31, 2011 in Out and About

What started out as an awesome day at the beach ended as an equally awesome day at the skate park. Ever since I went to the Backyard Jam in Hastings back in 1994 I’ve had a mild obsession with all things BMX. I was spoilt for choice in England because my cousin used to ride pro. This meant that every year I begged and pleaded for a press pass to some event for my birthday, which generally meant I was lucky enough to hang out with Steve McCann, Simon Tabron, Zach Shaw and other awesome riders.

In any case since I’ve been back in SA I haven’t had a chance to watch many BMXers in action so today was a nice change. One thing the skate park really needs to do is maybe split the park or create a smaller one for kids. I’m not sure what’s wrong with those parents but if my child kept wandering into the path of the better riders I’d have a heart attack. Children on mountain bikes, push bikes and scooters should stick to the promenade.

Hope you all had a good weekend. I’m preparing for the misery that is Carte Blanche to ruin my day.

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August I Heart Market

By on July 27, 2011 in Out and About, Retail Therapy

My favourite day of the month is fast approaching. The I Heart Market is always fun to walk around, whether you’re actually there to buy something or just watching the latest on trend fashionistas mingling. I obviously have my favourite stalls but there really is something there for everyone.

If you haven’t been before, it’s time you did. If you have, well perhaps I’ll see you there.

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Chicken with Cous Cous and a Pear Tart

By on July 24, 2011 in Food, Out and About

We were lucky enough to be invited to a cooking demo at the Samsung Brand store in Gateway on Saturday. Paula Erskine of Swanzie Catering in Umhlanga showed us two awesomely easy dishes to make. I had no idea cous cous was so easy, if I had I would have been making it for years as it’s so much less labour intensive than rice.

Swanzie Catering specializes in Gourmet delights for all occasions, according to Paula they cater for all corporate and private events, no matter how big or small. Hopefully she won’t mind me sharing these recipes with you.

Cous Cous

250ml cous cous
500ml boiling water
1 chicken stock cube
1 bunch of parsley
1 bunch of mint
1/2 a lemon
2Tbsp olive oil

Method

  1. Pour the raw cous cous onto a baking tray.
  2. Boil the 500ml water in kettle and dissolve the chicken stock cube in a jug.
  3. Pour over the cous cous and let it stand for a few minutes without stirring.
  4. Once cooled drag a fork through to loosen and mix in the olive oil, herbs and lemon juice.

Stuffed Chicken

4 skinless chicken breasts
1 goats milk cheese (chevin)
1Tbsp basil pesto
Salt and Pepper
Oil for frying

Method

  1. Slice the chicken lengthways to form pockets in the chicken. (Do not butterfly cut)
  2. Mix the basil pesto and goats cheese together.
  3. Spoon into made pockets and seal with a toothpick.
  4. Season both sides of the chicken and fry in some butter and oil to brown the chicken.
  5. Place on a baking tray and bake for 10 min at 190C or until chicken is cooked.
  6. Remove toothpicks and slice
  7. Serve with the cous cous and fresh salad.

Pear Tart

3 or 4 pears
5 ml cinnamon
1/3 cup brown sugar
40g butter
1 ready rolled puff pastry

Method

  1. Cut pears into quarters and take out the core
  2. Place the butter into the pan and allow to melt
  3. Add the sugar and cinnamon and let the sugar dissolve slightly
  4. Place your pears into a ring shape and let caramelise slightly
  5. Place your puff pastry on top of the pears in your frying pan (pan must have a metal handle)
  6. Put the pan into a preheated oven at 180C for about 15min or until the pastry is golden brown
  7. Place a plate of the top of your pan, turn the tart upside down.
  8. Serve with cream or ice cream.
Both recipes courtesy of Paula Erskine. If you are looking for a caterer for your next dinner party or function you can contact her by email or telephone – 071 427 6552. For more information you can also visit her website.
Images courtesy of Firsthouse Photography.
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Bonnie & Clyde – Rag Trade

By on July 19, 2011 in Fashion, Retail Therapy

Robyn and Jess from Bonnie & Clyde and Natalie from Minnie & Lulu are holding an open day in the courtyard of the Corner Café (blog) on the last Saturday of every month. Rag Trade is a 2nd hand designer wear sale and you can get involved. Below are the instructions of how it works. If you are able to get some clothes to Robyn or Jess before the day to price, please contact them.  If you don’t have anything to sell it’ll be worth going along to have a squizz and drink some coffee.

Seeking the singular, Rag Trade specializes in barely new top quality local and international labels. Refashioning rewards the planet for your ingenuity – Less is More.

Step 1
Rid your closet of any new or lightly worn internationally and locally designed clothes & accessories you no longer wear but think others need to have. Love is Letting Go.

Step 2
Take your worthy candidates to the next Bonnie & Clyde Rag Trade Open Day at 9am. Sharing is Caring.

Step 3
To maintain consistency of design and standard, all worthy candidates are screened and some may have to go back home. Don’t take this personally. Sharing needs to be done carefully.

Step 4
You will then code and price your stuff and it will be put on sale. Shopping made Marvelous.

Step 5
Hang out for a look at all the other stuff on sale and a scrumptious cup of coffee. Caffeine is the start of many a Beautiful Friendship.

Step 6
Be back by 14:30 and one of two surprises await you:
a) If not sold, your pieces are to be taken home and steps 2 to 5 followed for the next Open Day.
b) If sold you get to choose between taking 50% of the sale price in cold hard cash or 65% in a Bonnie & Clyde or Rag Trade voucher. The voucher has a Happiness Back Guarantee.

Contact Jessica on 082 890 4096 or send an email.

Just as a quick note, M&L Studio are soon to be moving to the Corner Café as well. You will be able to get your caffeine fix while shopping for vintage goodies from Bonnie & Clyde or new designers from Minnie & Lulu. Can’t wait.

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The Thrift Collection Is Turning One

By on July 14, 2011 in Fashion, Uncategorized

Those of you who frequent the I Heart Market in Durban will know all about The Thrift Collection, which is soon to be turning one. As with any big occasion, they’re having a party. If that isn’t good enough for you, they will also be unveiling their new store.

The entire concept behind The Thrift Collection is sourcing previously-loved clothing and goods and selling it to the public at ridiculously low prices. Generally on a market day, if you get there early enough, you will find something worth buying. With this new store comes a much greater opportunity for you to find better quality items more often.

Having said all that I expect you to all be at the Alliance Francaise, fighting over all the goodies on Saturday, 27 August. On top of all this the Fat Croissant is in the same building so if you haven’t tried Tim’s food yet, now’s your chance.

Please spread the word and we’ll hopefully see you there.

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