Weekend - What are you doing?

It's nearly weekend. What are you doing? We're going to a secret soiree tonight. It's hosted in people's private homes all over South Africa, a really great concept. You can find out more about it here on http://www.citysoiree.co.za/

Work space

Right now I'm working on making a creative space. I'd like a quiet corner which is inspirational where I can sit and write and drink tea and 'make'. Ideally I would like my own quiet studio outside away from all the noise and bussle, but for now I can make do with re-arranging my own space. Things I need to do: buy a bigger desk/ work space, get a nice light source, a lamp could be nice, could move stuff around to get the most of the view, get more plants inside, canvasses on the walls and a fluffy carpet. Here are some work spaces I am swooning over, I like the more cosy zen ones.

Fashion

I love this photo series from A Cup of Jo

El Jimador 100% Agave Surf Classic - Beautiful Surf boards

This weekend was the 100% Agave Surf Classic at Big Bay, check out http://www.ustream.tv/channel/agave-surf-classic The work that went into these boards is incredible. These boards are shaped and made by two of our Kommetjie locals, Jason Hayes and Ian Armstrong. Watch the video to see the love and hard work that went into making them! if I could have a board it would be this.Those who surfed are automatically entered into a draw and every week can win one of these beautiful 100% Agave surfboards. Some of my pics of the day here:

 

 

 

Sunday night chill

Last night I played a gig. and now I am tired. so tired.

This is the only kind of music I can listen to today.

It's called Sunday night chill and it drops off you like wax. organic.

This is how I feel today.

Drink

It’s 5-O’Clock Somewhere: Sparkling Sangria
I love this pic. Sangria. The perfect balance between wine and juice. This great recipe here:

 from http://blog.anthropologie.com

 WHAT YOU’LL NEED1 bottle dry white wine
1/2 cup silver rum
1 cup sliced grapefruit
1/2 cup sliced strawberries
2 cups grapefruit soda (or, 1/2 cup grapefruit juice + 1 1/2 cup sparkling water)
Large handful of fresh mint, chopped1/4 cup agave or simple syrup (optional)
 
HOW TO MAKE IT…In a large pitcher combine the wine, rum and fruit. Refrigerate and let sit at least one hour, preferably up to eight. Add grapefruit soda (or the juice and sparkling water) and chopped mint; if needed, add agave or simple syrup to sweeten (sodas and juices may vary, so make sure to taste first). To serve, pour sangria into glasses filled with ice, making sure each receives plenty of fruit, or decant into a prettily painted jar and carry to a party.

Meandering - Kingdom

Yesterday I took a meander to the Woodstock Exchange, 66 Albert road Woodstock - http://woodstockexchange.co.za/ I found Vellies to die for, the perfect winter companian. I will save up for them and have them by next month. This shop has such good stuff! They are made in the Natal Midlands, and have them in Charcoal grey, Tan, Ink and Aubergine from Kingdom (you can find Kingdom's quirky Facebook page here and follow)

Hikes in Cape Town - Silvermine

Last weekend I went hiking in Silvermine. It is such a beautiful reserve. It's really great because it offers walks for all ages: flat, steep, all beautiful. I saw Cape Town from a totally different angle I'd never seen before, which was mindblowing. In winter you can hike, and in summer you can swim and picnic. It is also dog friendly :)

Silvermine hike, view of Noordhoek and Kommetjie bays

 Silvermine hike, view of Fish hoek & Simonstown Bays

Riptide - Vance Joy

I love this song so much.
This is Vance Joy performing Riptide live.

And this is the Official Music Video.

66 Square Feet

 

I found a gorgeous blog. It's called 66 Sqaure Feet. It's about New York: one woman, one terrace, and twelve seasons. http://66squarefeet.blogspot.com It's so simple and real and shows you how you can still be connected to life and nature even with a small bit of space to grow. She's got me into foraging, something we all used to do long ago. She also has a book, below, and was born in South Africa.

"66 Square Feet was the footprint of my first, tiny terrace in Brooklyn. The garden and the meals I made there inspired this blog and subsequent book.

In late 2013 we left Brooklyn because our landlord hiked the rent dramatically. The Frenchman, the woman and the cat moved to Harlem, and a new terrace.

This is a blog about gardening in tight spaces, about food and cooking over an open flame. About wine. And water. And watering...And picnics.

With pauses for foraging. And cocktail-shaking."

'South Africa–born Marie Viljoen captures the hearts of her readers as she blogs about cooking and gardening on her tiny 66-square-foot terrace in Brooklyn. Named one of the top 10 gardening blogs by Apartment Therapy and the Discovery Channel, 66 Square Feet has also been covered in the New York Times.
The book draws the reader into Viljoen’s beautiful world of unfolding city seasons as she forages through New York City and harvests from her garden to create elegant and inspiring meals that encourage the reader to pause and savor life. Each chapter is a month, and ends in the kitchen, with a menu inspired by her terrace and roof gardens, farmer’s markets, and the occasional weed. Set against a backdrop of growing up in South Africa and moving to the United States, meeting her French husband, and finding a culinary and emotional home in Brooklyn, Viljoen’s book is a love letter to living seasonally in the most famous city on the planet.

Praise for 66 Square Feet

“The book is easy to love. The photos are alluring, the typography and graphics are charming and the menus, divided by month, offer beautiful, seasonal delights.” —San Jose Mercury News'

Journey

The time has come to journey, to start my inner journey, to journey within. to face up to some things and be honest with myself. To stop running. To communicate my feelings. Growing up I was not allowed to express negative emotions. Learnt behaviour patterns repeated over and over again. makes it difficult to change. I am waking up slowly to this and to other patterns in my life. Change takes work. and patience. and persistence. creating harmony. becoming conscious.

Grow

This weekend we added to our balcony garden. I already have Basil and Parsley and Rosemary, 3 herbs I can't live without and use in everything. But we added to this and bought big planting crates from Stodels Nursery, and planted:

Lemon Basil
Purple Sage (2 types)
Coriander
Rocket (2 types)
Mixed lettuce (4 types)
Kale
Climbing Jasmine
Thyme
Mint
Cat grass (cat is already loving it)
Chives

Our balcony looks so green and so fresh. I want to keep adding, its good for the soul.
A hanging chair from Kalk bay and a table for breakfast.

Autumn

So much has happened in the last 5 months. we are in May already, Winter has dropped into the Southern hemispehere, and Summer has arrived to the North. It's the longest I've gone without writing. A strange time of introspection. a breakup (I'm grateful for my cat during this time, it sounds strange but pets are good for the soul when you're sad) and a new person to share my home with. The release of my 1st album, summer parties, Easter at Cape Point, friends having kids, home making, everything changes and yet everything stays the same. I am still living in Cape Town, traveling when I can, taking photos and making music.grateful.

Album Art

This image was shot by the fantastic photographer: Annemieke Goldswain, of Blink Photography. You can go to her page here - https://www.facebook.com/annemiekegoldswainhein
This image did not make it to the album. I wanted it to be the front cover but instead we seperated the images out.But I like it anyway.

You can buy my album on iTunes

Here is the link to buy my album on iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/za/artist/fiona-hare/id850718554