Goop: Avocado Rice Cracker

A Gloop of Gwyneth Paltrow's blog 'goop': 

I have just stumbled upon her 'recipe' for one of her favourite snacks- avocado on  rice cracker. Super healthy and really delicious.  This is another reason why I think me and Gwyneth would be best friends if we knew each other.  This is one of my favourite snacks but instead of the black sesame rice cracker, I like a good old marmite rice cracker.  So here it is: a yummy nom nom nom of a healthy a-list snack...

Coco Rocha for Sass & Bide

Coco Rocha is set to take over the Sass & bide Social Media platforms tomorrow.  This means we can talk to the supermodel through the sass & bide social twitter-sphere, check out what she is posting on Facebook and the rest of it. #hashtag# yay!  

What I like more about this take over though, is the built up photo's that Coco has done for the Fashion brand.  Coco is ever-known for her ability to switch up her looks during a fashion show.  She has even been known to do 50 poses in 30 seconds!  These pictures are a testament to that talent.

 

Belts belts belts: J D Solis

As I am British, and a little bit posh I thought I would share a timeless and rather stylish superbly English present idea for your hubby, brother, dad or boyfriend- it is valentines day coming up after all. 

"The J D Solis belt, is inspired by the history, heritage and style of Polo. By combining the classically stylish leather featured in the horse’s saddle and rider’s boots, with the colourful team jerseys, we have embodied the effortless style and character of Polo, allowing you to take it with you, wherever you go."

"The belts are made with woven rope and saddle leather enabling us to produce a belt that is timelessly stylish whilst being extremely comfortable around the waist. The belts also have no holes, the pin slots anywhere through the weave, meaning that you will never have to put up with a belt that is too tight or loose ever again"

So here are the beautiful quality belts:  I think my favorite is the burgandy "havana" belt as I think the colour really compliments the tan leather buckles: it's also more valentine-sy.  But you choose. . . .

Bluejay

Havana

Orchid

Patagonia

Look What I Bought: Anchor Fluffy Jumper

Today I went to the Stellenbosch Slow Market.  For those that don't know what that is, it is a food and bits and bobs market which is on every Saturday just off the R44 in Stellenbosch. This market is great to come to for a nice brunch, social meet up and a browse the random little stalls.  This is what I found, tried on, loved and bought. It was from a 'vintage' rail and was priced at only R250 (about £18). Bargain!  Im pretty chuffed.  Ahoy sailor.

Style File: A Day at the Cricket

Since being in South Africa I have done some pretty cool things.  One of them was going to watch the South African Protea's (cricket team) play against New Zealand.  The match took place at Newlands Cricket ground. Newlands is just outside of the centre of Cape Town right next to Table Mountain. 

To the Cricket I wore: Leather looking leggings (Warehouse)

Purple Converse

Blue and Cream Strip Jumper by Jigsaw

Necklace from Topshop

Cap by LA Dogers (Baseball team) 

Bric's Handbag

Purple Converse

My view

Me in Andys Dogers Hat

So back to the cricket.. well I cant tell you much because I wasn't paying great attention to the game.  Instead I sat next to Niquitta (friend) and rabbited about all things current.  The atmosphere was amazing and we did join in on the woops and cheers when South Africa got 'out' the opponents, and not to mention the mexican wave that circulated the stadium. 

Phil and Andy in our seats in the stadium

One of the best things about Newlands Stadium was the veiw we had of Table Mountain right behind the cricket ground.  The only problem we had was that we were in the sun.  After drinking beers and diet cokes, munching on biltong and being burnt to a cinder, we left the stadium with a South African victory. 

Chanel S/S Couture '13 : Vogue

"A GOTHIC take on A Midsummer Night’s Dream was what Karl Lagerfeld had in mind for his spring/summer 2013 couture show for Chanel this morning. And a dream it certainly was. We stepped into an enchanted forest beneath the dome of the Grand Palais and into a world seemingly straight from the pages of Shakespeare, a wooden auditorium surrounding us, and edgy fairies about to come to life before us.

Stella Tennant opened the show in a white tweed cape and jacket hybrid, black feather-painted eye make-up sprawling over her face and more black feathers tumbling from her hair and over an eye to show that these fairy-like creatures weren’t going to be quite as sweet and sugary as we first thought and there was something altogether more sinister about them.

They drifted down the stage in a dreamy way, dancing almost, in ensembles that put emphasis on the shoulders: stole-like affixations that hugged tightly to them; sleeves that stood upright and away from them; off-the-shoulder dresses; or those that descended in trapeze shapes from the shoulders, but left them exposed and bare.

Each look came with courtly peep-toe boots, like something the most glamorous of medieval knights might have worn, tight-like and in silver leather and lace that either climbed the whole length of the leg or came as short ankle boots and matched in decoration the dresses above them.

When it came to the tailoring, it was bell shapes that won out – for skirts that were stiff in structure and for tops that stood away from the body. And when it came to gowns and eveningwear, show-stoppers came by way of toppling white feathers, those black leather booties worn beneath, and a set of Thirties dresses in red and black and white sequins which were particularly special and called to mind something Wallis Simpson might have worn, all perfect flowers splayed out on them and narrow and elegant in shape.

It was all about the idea of the forest – the leaves, the flowers, the feathers and all those mystical and mythical little fairies that might just be hiding in it: Cara Delevingne making for the most popular of them to close the show in a white Miss Havisham-style dress, black eye make-up and black feathers falling from her hair."

Beetroot and Carrot Juice

Whilst in South Africa I have become obsessed with my fresh juice.  Luckily my two favourite cafe's in Stellenbosch do my fresh beetroot, carrot and ginger juice. Not only does this taste delicious, it is seriously healthy healthy.

The Benefits of Carrots:

"The two obvious nutrients most are aware of are vitamin A and beta carotenes. Vitamin A toxicity is possible with vitamin supplements and fish oils, but you cannot overdose on vitamin A with carrots while enjoying their extra large amounts of this vitamin.

Beta-carotene is also a major antioxidant. The vitamin A and beta-carotene help maintain vision along with the carrots' fair share of lutein. Beta-carotene also maintains epithelial tissue, the tissue surrounding internal organs. Epithelial tissues are susceptible to cancerous growths.

Carrots are also rich in poly-acetylene anti-oxidant falcarinol. Research at the University of Newcastle has shown carrot falcarinol destroys pre-cancerous cells in tumors. Carrots do help keep cancer away.

Carrots are deep soil root vegetables, and this enables them to absorb an abundant array of minerals. They are also rich in other vitamins, including the B vitamins and folates. Folate is the natural and safe provider of folic acid.

The list of nutrients doesn't really measure up to carrots' actual regenerative capacity, especially when juiced. Obviously, the unique synergy of its enzymes, vitamins, minerals, and flavonoids provides herbal healers with a magical remedy when juiced." 

Source

The Benefits of Beetroot:

Research has shown that beetroot can help reduce blood pressure as well as its associated risks such as heart attacks and strokes. This is because the high content of nitrates in beetroot produce a gas called nitric oxide in the blood which widens blood vessels and lowers blood pressure.

Betacyanin, the pigment that gives beetroot its colour, is also an antioxidant. Antioxidants are believed to help reduce the oxidation of LDL cholesterol, in turn protecting artery walls and reducing the risk of heart disease and stroke.

Beetroot contains folic acid which is essential for normal tissue growth. Folic acid is crucial to the development of a baby’s spinal cord during the first three months of pregnancy and can help prevent spinal cord defects such as spina bifida. Beetroot also contains iron so is a fab pick-me-up for mums-to-be suffering from fatigue during pregnancy. Expectant mums must remember though that cooked beetroot has lower levels of folic acid than raw beetroot.

Beetroot contains the mineral silica. This helps the body to utilise calcium, which is important for musculo-skeletal health and reducing the risk of osteoporosis.

Beetroot contains soluble fibre, which has also been shown to have cholesterol lowering capabilities. It also contains carotenoidsand flavonoids, which help prevent LDL or ‘bad’ cholesterol from being oxidised and deposited in the arteries.
Stabilises blood sugar

Beetroot is virtually fat free and low in calories. Although it has a 'medium' GI (Glycaemic Index) of 64, It has an extremely low GL (Glycaemic Load) of 2.9 which means it’s converted into sugars very slowly and therefore helps to keep blood sugar levels stable.

Beetroot’s iron content means it’s good for those with anaemia and fatigue.

A recent study by Wake Forest University in North Carolina, USA has shown that the high content of nitrates in beetroot may also help fight the progression of dementia, as nitric oxide in the blood (produced by the nitrates in beetroot) also helps increase blood flow to the brain. Beetroot’s folic acid may also play a part as studies suggest it can help protect against Alzheimer’s and dementia.

Source

The Benefits of Ginger:

1. Eat fresh ginger just before lunch to stoke a dull appetite and fire up the digestive juices.

2. Ginger improves the absorption and assimilation of essential nutrients in the body.

3. Ginger clears the ‘microcirculatory channels’ of the body, including the pesky sinuses that tend to flare up from time to time.

4. Feeling airsick or nauseous? Chew on ginger, preferably tossed in a little honey.

5. Ginger helps reduce flatulence!

6. Tummy moaning and groaning under cramps? Munch on ginger.

7. Reeling under joint pain? Ginger, with its anti-inflammatory properties—can bring relief. Float some ginger essential oil into your bath to help aching muscles and joints.

8. Got a surgery done? Chewing ginger post-operation can help overcome nausea.

9. Stir up some ginger tea to get rid of throat and nose congestion. And when there’s a nip in the air, the warming benefits of this tasty tea are even greater!

10. Bedroom blues? Try adding a gingery punch to a bowl of soup.

Source

Wish List

Here are a few cheeky things I have had my eye on recently.

After seeing the amazing film I would really love to read the Life of Pi.  Get it here on Amazon.

Carven T-bar Wedge from Matches 

Leather shorts by Vanessa Bruno Athe. Get them at Matches

Triangle Chandelier Earrings from Urban Outfitters. 

Cube print pouch bag from Pierre Hardy found on Matches

Beautiful dresss by Carven found on Net-a-porter .  This dress is lady like and quite classic and sophisticated in its silhouette but the detailing and choice in fabric makes it a bit quirky and different.  Not sure how well I'd suit the orange though.

Style File: Hayley

This is Hayley.  Hayley always looks immaculate and very elegant but on this day I thought she looked exceptional.  I would say Hayley's style is classic. What topped this outfit off for me was the hat. 

Hayley has a strong sense of style.  Her b-e-a-u-tiful Wine & Stud Estate, Brenaissance just exhibits this sense of style.  The theme of H's style, business and interior design is black and white.  This leads to a well put together lady, running a stylish Estate: both Hayley and Brenaissance exudes a timelessness and opulence.  

Hayley's gorgeous manicure and silver watch. 

Black Nail Polish, in-keeping with her theme and style.  Silver Haviana's with a jewel perching on the top.

P.S. If you are going to South Africa you MUST go to Brenaissance Wine & Stud Estate. It is on the Devon Valley Road in Stellenbosch.  They have a Cafe there with the most incredible food and such lovely atmosphere.  I am planning on doing a post on this beautiful Wine Farm so you can see what the place is about.