Meditation 101

Guided Meditation classes are a great way to further your meditation practice and learn Buddhism teachings first hand from Buddhist monks.

I highly recommend the Tuschita Buddhist centre. The centres are located in Durban, and in different areas around Cape Town offering weekly drop in classes.

 “Within these drop-in classes everyone learns practical methods for developing and maintaining inner peace and harmony with others. This is a wonderful way to spread peace and harmony in the local community as a whole and, in this way, to make a valuable contribution to world peace.”

“The Centre is home to a wide community of people from all walks of life. Dharma is for everyone, regardless of creed, race, or gender. The study and practice of Dharma brings us together and helps us to enjoy a truly meaningful life. The Centre serves as the focus of the Three Jewels (Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha) in one, it is a perfect object of refuge for everyone. From here people find reliaible ways to solve their daily problems, and bring love, harmony, peace and happiness into their families.”

How did we end up with organic in a can?

World's first 100% organic, vegetarian and FairTrade approved energy drink now available in SA. Scheckter’s OrganicEnergy possesses no added preservatives, artificial additives or colours. Interesting

A natural wonder of the world

Its no wonder Table Mountain was recently chosen as one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World- it is breathtakingly beautiful. With many different trails to choose from it’s a hikers paradise and photographers dream. Here are some of the pics I snapped on a hike last week with my friends Sam and Kim

A good morning hike!

Hiking has become one of my favourite things to do! A great form of excercise and also a really good way to meet people from all walks of life (pun intended:). Great for the body, mind and soul. I recommend joining a hiking club. If you're in the Cape Town area there's a great hiking group called Tuesday's Child started by my friend Michelle. The main hikes are (you guessed it) every tuesday bright and early in the morning.

Start your day off on a high!..;)

Here are a few pics from the last hike at Celia Forest...

Eco-fashion 101

Top Eco-fashion trends this season…

One word… Refashion!

So you’re de-cluttering your wardrobe that’s bursting at the seams. You’ve ended up with a “keeper” pile, a “give-away” pile and a “never going to wear but too good to give away” pile. Well this eco-tip is just for you…

Eco-tip 1: Stop hoarding and refashion!

Give your beautiful old clothes new life and recycle them at a local vintage store. You may in turn find some new gems.

Try  Re-wardrobe, a trendy vintage store that sell a variety of second hand clothing and accessories. Visit them at 89 Sir Lowry Road, Woodstock, Cape Town.

Fashion Exchange offers events in which lightly worn or new unwanted accessories and clothes are resold. These social events are private and fun as well as a great way to start creating a new wardrobe. For more information call 082 482 2952 or e-mail info@fashex.co.za

Try Stock Exchange for high end fashion at discounted prices.  

Contact the store on 021 424 5971 or visit them at 116 Kloof Street, Cape Town.

Online shopping

Online shopping has become the way to shop- it's super easy, convenient and most importantly, it’s an eco-friendly way to shop.

Here are some great online shopping stores…

36boutique an online portal showcasing SA design.  You can also find international labels and discount prices.

I love this one… Shop-label.com for the latest trends with designer labels from across the globe. For more info email hello@shop-label.com or call 021 434 5431

Designerbags.co.za is a one stop virtual shop for 100 percent authentic designer bags from around the world that can be hired for a special function. Call 011 888 9156. 

Brands that give back

Fashion retailers are also doing their bit for the environment by creating shopper incentives to recycle their packaging in innovative ways.

MAC cosmetics have a ‘Back to MAC program’ that assists in their product recycling. Customers bring back the packaging containers of their finished make up products. Customers can collect a total of six products and return them to a MAC store or MAC online. Once returned them you collect a free MAC lipstick of your choice as a thank you for your support.

Aldo has gone green by recycling their shoe boxes from eco friendly materials. The boxes also have handles on them to stop the need for a packet. 

These are a few of my favourite things

When in Cape Town- wine taste! I've found some hidden gems this week...

La Petitie Ferme, a wine farm in Franschoek just outside of Cape Town near Stellenbosch was my hidden delight. I caught up with a friend from London where we decided to ditch the conventional 'meet you for coffee at the mall' and instead, venture out into the magestic winelands of the Cape. Forty five minutes later we found ourselves sitting on the grass of this idyllic old french winefarm, with a bottle of La Petite Ferme Shiraz, a cheese platter for two and a view overlooking Franschoek at its best. A picture-perfect, relaxed setting, with good handcrafted wines- well priced and a good range. Totally worth the drive out. I couldn't have thought of a better way to show off Cape Town to this Londoner:)

Franschhoek has some really great restaurants. Try Huguenot street for a trendy hotspot. My favourites are The Common Room, Reuben's and The Grill Room

Next up was French Toast, wine and tapas bar on Bree street, with a wine tasting evening hosted by Eat out magazine and Monis. This once old city warehouse has been transformed into a sophisticated venue specializing in local and overseas wines. Think 1950's Paris vibes.

Monis held a tasting of their port wines. I've never been a fan of port, but after the wine tasting I've taken quite a liking to it. My favourite is the Mascadel 1991, with a good old malva pudding dessert of course:) A great evening spent with friends, in a loungy atmosphere of easy elegance. Needless to say, we "toasted to the good things in life".

To Cape winefarms and bars that boast world-class sophistication, and to fresh local neighbourhood restaurants that ooze simplicity- These are just a few of my favourite things.

Visit Eatout for SA's 1000 best places to eat

Well Done to Bokang Montjane, our new Miss South Africa 2010!

Having been one of the 12 finalists for Miss South Africa, I walk away from the experience enriched, having met inspiring people and made lasting friendships. Its a journey that I am truly grateful for and will never forget.

Congratulations Bokang! Your an amazing young woman, and I have no doubt that you will do amazing work with the title and make SA proud.