Our Weekend - April 5-7, 2013

So both Chelsea and I have the lucky privilege of being bridesmaids this September! We both did our brides maids duties this weekend - my duties involved driving to Johannesburg to go the Bridal Expo with the rest of the bridesmaids. Before heading to Johannesburg I headed to the farm to see Rog ( see photo 6 - look how cool I am on the back of the truck will all my macadamia friends).  After driving to Joburg we started the night off at Mantra (3), an amazing Indian restaurant ( what made it even more amazing was the fact that we could bring our own booze...). After lots of champers and wine we headed to Mamma's Shebeen and drank far too much more and danced our bridal party asses off. I have only two pictures from that night, and you do NOT need to see those. I also believe there may be a video floating around of me trying to rap the entire "I like big butts" song...

Saturday we woke up with KILLER hangovers and decided that the bridal fair was something we were not capable of doing - so we made appointments to go Wedding dress shopping instead. I think Tanya ( the bride) found "the one". On Sunday, after a big breakfast with the gang, I rushed home to spend some quality time cuddling with my  darling cat on the couch (1) and of course R.

Didn't chat with Chelsea that much since I was away in Joburg but from the sounds of it the weather was quite crappy so she spent some time indoors drinking tea and reading 419 by Will Ferguson (2), then also headed bridesmaid dress shopping (4) on Saturday for her friend Amanda's wedding, and then escaped the cold again on Sunday to go on a date to see Jurassic Park in 3D ( I must be living in a cave, I had no idea this was out? I LOVE jurrasic park!) and then ate at Clive Burger (5).

yumm.. I could really go for a clive burger and beer right now...

Road Trip to the Cape

So we have been pretty bad at keeping our weekend photos going... but I promise we have excuses.

On Feb 22nd at 2 am, R and I got in our car and started our 17 hour journey to Cape Town. We stayed in Cape Town for 4 days with his fabulous sister and pretended that we lived in her fabulous suite in Fresnaye overlooking the ocean. Some of the highlights were a 12 course seafood lunch at die Strandloper (1), wine tasting at the ever so posh Steenberg Vineyards (2), bubbly tasting on the same estate at Gorgeous by Graham Beck (4) and climbing up Lion's head one morning (3).

We then boogied off to Herolds bay to visit our friends who live in Sweden. We spent 4 days there on the beach. R surfed, and I tanned/burnt my body on the beach while reading a great book ( The Lace Reader by Brunonia Barry - read it... do it...). I don't have one picture to show from this time but I do have a random photo of our friends (5), and a photo from The Owlhouse which we stopped by in Nieu Bethesda on our long trip back to White River.

Fabulous trip, which caused R and I to start speaking like Capetonians - "totes cray-cray". Can't wait to go back again. If you want more recommendations for the Cape Town area, feel free to contact us.

Our Weekend - February 15-18, 2013

Chelsea had a lot of work to do this long weekend including a branding project, blog updates and a birthday campaign for PARK (6). She also found time for a lazy brunch (2) and a Sunday night out for the Sled Island fundraiser at Republik (4).

Charlotte had a very productive weekend around the house with R. They spent time in the garden ripping out old plants and replanting new ones, as well as creating an outdoor space in front of their new french doors (5). They painted Murrays old room (3), squeezed in an engagement party and had two special girlfriends over for a salad lunch on Sunday (1).

Caitlin Copeland - What I love about Gaudi's Barcelona

We have a few more guests left to contribute even though we are back on separate soil. Our guest this week is Cailtin from Edinburgh, Scotland.

What I love about Gaudi’s Barcelona is that it creates a world I thought could only be imagined.

Gaudi’s architecture has a way of transporting me to a world where it seems as if anything is possible. Stone becomes liquid and light takes on a life of its own. I lose time when I’m inside the walls of Sagrada Familia; Parc Güell is the world I imagined as a child; and the delicate details at every turn in Casa Batlló and Casa Milà keep me smiling for days. For me, Gaudi’s architecture reflects the best things about Barcelona: it is quirky and fun and there’s never a dull moment!

Caitlin Copeland is a South Afri-Canadian currently living in Edinburgh, Scotland. When she is not studying Architecture, she can be found writing music for a sometimes-long-distance band Fox Opera or day-dreaming about the mountains while planning her next adventure.

Murray Anderson-Ogle - What I love about the Lowveld

While we're in the same place for the next few months we've invited guests to contribute to There & Here by telling us what they love about their favourite place in the world. Our guest this week is Murray from White River, South Africa.

Bus buddy, Buyisiwe Shongwe, is an old friend and Miss South Africa runner up in 2009. We spent most of high school chatting on the bus.

What I love about the Lowveld is the people that choose to live in this beguiling corner of South Africa.

I am a photographer for Lowveld Living, a glossy, lifestyle magazine that focuses on the people in the area and the lives that they lead. Far from being a platteland (countryside) wasteland, which is only known for its wildlife, the Lowveld is home to some wonderful people. Some of these people are well known and others not, but simply they are lowvelders and they all have a story to tell. All my work is location based and I tend to look for interesting textures, light patterns, colours and contrast in my pictures.

Taibo Bacar is a fashion designer in Maputo. (Shot at his apartment in Maputo, Mocambique)

Tony Park is an adventure novelist, who sets his novels in Africa, mostly in the Lowveld. Funnily enough, Tony is actually Australian.

I love this picture of artist, Judith Mason, so much unexpected joy and happiness in one picture.

Dong Sparg owns a music supply shop and in his spare time is trying to build a de Haviland Tiger Moth.

I love colour in my work, I found this wall while walking to my car in Newtown, Johannesburg. Given Nkuna is an artist now based in Jo’burg, but comes from Komatipoort. (Shot in Newtown, Jo’burg)

Harold Voigt has been writing on this window for years, I was photographing his house at the time and I begged him to pose for this picture.

Ntando Lekhuleni is a musician and entrepreneur in Kabokweni near White River. He just has the greatest smile.

Actor and playwright Mncedisi Shabangu on a rooftop balcony in Newtown, Jo’burg.

This photograph of award winning investigative reporter Mzilikazi wa Afrika was for a music profile. Shot at a Sasol Petrol Station, with a monstrous hangover.

Rex is a buddy of mine, who has been working as a Londolozi Game Reserve ranger.

Murray Anderson-Ogle is a journalist, photographer and marathoner currently living in White River working as photo editor for Lowveld Living.

Sarin Harrison - What I love about Kananaskis Country

While we're in the same place for the next few months we've invited guests to contribute to There & Here by telling us what they love about their favourite place in the world. Our guest this week is Sarin from Calgary, Canada.
 

What I love about Kananaskis Country is the escape into peace and tranquility it offers.

This place cannot be adequately described in words. In fact, pictures don't even do it justice. I've spent summers and winters in the parks of Kananaskis Country and every time I travel here, I'm reminded why I'm drawn to this part of the Canadian Rockies. It's not just the immense snow-topped mountains that humble you with their presence; or the crystal-clear glacier-fed waters that flow from mountain to mountain; nor is it the winding trails and pathways that you can explore at end... these are all wonderful parts of Kananaskis, but not the best part.

No, the best part is how each experience of whatever you are doing in Kananaskis brings you back to a simplistic and pure point of living, where you rely on yourself and the company you're with, where you feel the joy of being alive in such a beautiful place that your heart almost bursts, and you forget about everything else in your life that can, for the moment, be forgotten. The fresh air, big skies and serene landscapes are perfect elements to escape into from a crazy, busy, non-stop life which many of us live. For that, Kananaskis is my favourite place to be.

Sarin Harrison resides in Calgary, Alberta - just a hop, skip and jump away from her most favourite place ever. You can find her on Instagram at sarin_dipity as she captures moments with her favourite people in her favourite places doing her favourite things. 

Lucia Viglietti - What I love about London

While we're in the same place for the next few months we've invited guests to contribute to There & Here by telling us what they love about their favourite place in the world. Our guest this week is Lucia from Cape Town, South Africa.

What I love about London is it's a global village.

As a South African-Italian girl I’ve always had a heart divided quite strongly and loyally in two. South Africa is home and Italy is my favourite place to go on holiday. But the city that has my heart right now is London. Why? It’s the perfect balance of creative, quirky and worldly. It’s history and charm holds its own mixed in with the multicultural energy of the city. The first time I visited London I was 16. It was my first overseas and my first European experience, and I fell in love with the bustle, the red busses, the sights and (of course) the shopping! Having returned after more than a decade, it is like meeting up with an old friend; something special. And after living in a small town in Italy for a while its big enough for me to ‘get lost’ in, all the while knowing you’re never really lost in London. I get my fix of markets and exhibitions, designer cupcakes and charity shop gems. Whether a Friday pub night with the family or a day of museums and markets with lovely friends there is never a shortage of fun to be had in London town.


Photo captions (clockwise from left): 1. Borough Market in South East London: one of my favourite food markets in the city with delicious everything! 2.Three Bobbies in front of Big Ben (couldn’t resist the alliteration there, sorry). 3.The Book Club in the creative Leonard Street – from ping pong to a cup of tasty coffee with a friend. This is the place. 4. A rhino for sale at the Sunbury Antiques Market (every collector’s dream – there is SO much choice!) held at Kempton Park Race Course twice a month. Bring a car to carry away all the great stuff you’ll be tempted to buy! 5. City of London sign near Tower Bridge 6.The view from the Tate Modern across the Millennium Bridge to St Paul’s Cathedral: one of my favourite views of the city. 

Lucia Viglietti is a designer who has worked in publishing in Cape Town, first at Real Simple South Africa and then at Marie Claire South Africa. Last year she moved to Italy for five wonderful months and has since spent time in London, New York and The Hague. She has plans to travel some more before calling London home. For freelance design work or just to get in touch you can email her on lucia.ottavia@gmail.com or find her on Facebook or Pinterest.

Maia Fuhrman - What I love about this summer in Calgary

While we're in the same place for the next few months we've invited guests to contribute to There & Here by telling us what they love about their favourite place in the world. Our guest this week is Maia from Calgary, Canada.

Required cliché shot of the tracks disappearing into nothing…70s film reel style.


What I love about this summer in Calgary is exploring Inglewood.

If you’re a native Calgarian, you know that our city is most famous for its raucous, mid-July western extravaganza: the notorious Calgary Stampede. However, if you venture just past the grounds (up the hill and over the bridge), you’ll find reprieve from the raucous crowds amongst the historic buildings of up-and-coming Inglewood.

This neighborhood lies just East of the downtown core, and just under the city’s radar – not quite yet a regular destination for most Calgarians, but long-practiced at serving and connecting its residents. Studded with heritage buildings, converted lofts, art galleries, dive-bars, boutique cafes, and curio shops, 9th Avenue SE presents endless fascination for (this) Calgarian, who thought they’d seen everything.

Eat: Without Papers Pizza, Eat Eat, Fine Diner.
Drink: Hose & Hound Pub, Swans Public House, The Ironwood Bar & Grill.
Listen: The Blues Can, The Area, The New Black.
Shop: Pretty Little Things, Mid-Century Dweller, Etsy.
Curiosity: Silk Road Spice Merchants, Knifewear, DaDe Art Gallery.

River-side bike path curves around the Deane House patio.

Built by the Hudson’s Bay Company, this little structure has survived since 1847.

Original Calgary Zoo sign.

Streetscape of 9th Ave SE & Ironwood sign.

Basement showroom of Mid-Century Dweller.

Nerding out and planning fun with the Sled Island schedule.

The Area functions as a music venue, community garden and youth center.

Prairie sky dwarfs the abandoned shacks that line the railroad.

Just a man and his bicycle, looking epic.

Maia Fuhrman is a Communications student currently working for Critical Mass, and excitedly anticipating her final semester on exchange to Oxford, UK this September. She doesn’t have a website, but you can find her on Twitter @maialoren, and (if you really want to) on Facebook. You know the drill. ‘Nuff said.

Daniel Bach - What I love about Kelvingrove Park, Glasgow

While we're in the same place for the next few months we've invited guests to contribute to There & Here by telling us what they love about their favourite place in the world. Our guest this week is Daniel from Toronto, Canada.

Looking at the sun set behind the University of Glasgow’s tower from atop Kelvingrove Park.

What I love about Kelvingrove Park is how easy it is to step from the buzz of the city and into the tranquility of nature.

When I was younger, before I ever visited Glasgow, I used to love this traditional Scottish tune called “The Rose of Kelvingrove.” I was always curious about Kelvingrove, and when I’ve been living in Glasgow or just visiting, the green expanse of the park around the River Kelvin has been like a dear friend to me: the trees protect me from the rain and listen to my musings, the river paths challenging me to run for miles, the lights of the 15th Century university guiding me straight home, the museum corridors providing for endless mind wandering, the flowers reminding of beauty and sweetness. 

Glasgow is a vibrant and well-cultured city, perhaps the most underrated in Europe. Kelvingrove is ones of the city’s many gems, and certainly its most gorgeous setting.

Lights on the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum.

The quirky interior of the museum.

A splash of colour just outside the park below trendy Great Western Road.

A bridge over the River Kelvin.

Shuttered shops near Kelvingrove Park. The neighbourhood, and Glasgow’s West End, has seen a lot of gentrification in recent years.

Dilapidated amphitheatre.

University of Glasgow as seen from Dumbarton Road.

The university at night.

Park greenery in Spring.

Daniel Bach is a Toronto-based writer, constant traveller and Hejorama.com contributor.

website: www.danielcbach.com
Twitter: @danielblether