Get inspired: The beach house collection

The bedroom

Get Inspired: The beach house collection by lovemakesthehome 

Friday Night in the City

So you have plans for a night out on the town, a tiny break from the kids so you can let your hair down and shake like Shakira on the dance floor!  But wait, you realise you don't have anything to wear!!  Nothing new to our world.....  Hopefully this will inspire you. 

Friday Night in the City by lovemakesthehome featuring a 3.1 phillip lim blouse

1. You should have a good pair of Jeans. They are a must in any wardrobe. 
2. A BLACK TOP...  If you don't have a comfortable but elegant black top then its time you got one!  because just like the LITTLE BLACK DRESS you need a classic black top!  I love the peplum cut, it gives you a flattering curve at the waist where you need it and shapely hips.  
3. For Autumn I love the bootie and they do look great with a pair of skinny jeans! 
4. Accessorise with some bold pieces like this clutch bag and then add a dressy ring or cute earrings in the same tone as your bag or outfit to tie everything together.  
5. Always remember to pack (if nothing else!) some foundation, blush, your lipstick and gloss. Oh and dare we forget our phones!
6. Always love the way you look, are you really going to have the best time otherwise!!

Whatever your plans are tonight, enjoy and have a fabulous extended weekend! 

       Sofia x 

Get inspired: The beach house collection

The living room 

The beach house collection. by lovemakesthehome featuring blue wall art

Easter in Cape Town

I hope you all had a lovely Easter.  My first Easter in Cape Town was amazing.  Well, from what I hear its usually cold or raining over the Easter weekend but instead we had a gorgeous day.   

I really enjoyed making and setting up the decorations for Easter, it doesn't take up a lot of time especially when you're having fun with it. Keep it simple and effective with a colour that pops and it works!  It's always nice to make the day extra special...  

When cooking a big lunch like this I always refer to Jamie Oliver!  I used his recipe for the Best Roast Leg of Lamb it was easy to follow and truly delicious. You just have to try it.  It also comes with a recipe for a SUPER easy mint sauce too.   I add some carrots as Mr Oliver suggests, just perfect..  The lamb was not alone, it was accompanied by a smoked gammon, tomato,  mozzarella and pesto salad, courgette bake and a green salad made by my wonderful family and friends.  It's always nice to get everyone involved!  

www.jamieoliver.com

I made these yummy carrots the kids will definitely not refuse to eat... two in one! A cute snack and it adds to the decoration! I found these on Pinterest.  I also tried the nests on a spoon. The picture on Pinterest looked delish so I gave them a try!!   Definitely not as easy as it looks and if you ever try these use deep spoons for the shape, my spoons were too shallow so the chocolate didn't hold on the spoon nicely.   Still they were delicious.  As a rule...  Always use good chocolate..  (That should never fail!)  

How did you spend your Easter, let me know your great ideas and recipes, I would love to hear from you.

           Sofia  

For the table setting i used:  White linen table cloth (own), Table runner: I used brown paper (in RSA we use it to cover school books!) you can find it at any stationers,  Pink Blossoms - Mr Price Home sold as a bunch,  Mini vases - Mr Price Home sold as a set of 4,  Candles - Mr Price Home (the black ribbon was added on by me, magenta and black ribbon - Party shop Canal Walk, white pompoms you can get at any craft shop, wooden spoons - Woolworth's pack of 6.    

Preparations for the Easter weekend

So usually its the time of the year that families reconnect after Christmas for another festa (party).   
I do look forward to hosting parties,  it does help that I enjoy cooking but what I really get excited about is the table decor.  Yes, down to the place settings! 

So today, I spent most of my day on the hunt for Easter decorations.  I must have left it a bit late because there were absolutely no decorations to be found.  What i did find was a serious amount of Easter chocolates available.  
My favourite, the Lindt Bunny......  

In the end I put my thinking cap on and made my way to the craft stores.  I am a huge fan of Pinterest and thanks to so many creative friends I follow I was able to put some things together.  Here is a sneak peek at the mini bunting I created.  

I wish you all a Happy Easter......

Every girl should have a shopper tote.

Frida Giannini of Gucci:

"Do pick pieces that reflect your personality instead of 

following some social sense of whats 'right'. 

Today its appropriate to wear jeans with a vintage top and an evening bag."

Some of my favourites.

Some of my favourites. by lovemakesthehome featuring a black tray


Here are some of my favourite design pieces: 

1. The Eames Eiffel chair.  I just can't get tired of this design, you can use it in almost any style of decoration.  I like to have just one in a room as a focal point.
2. I would love to get my hands on one of these Kitchen Aid Stand Mixers, they are so funky and range in so many amazing colours.  The design is so beautiful you never have to pack it away! 
3. A bowl of sorts, must be colourful to pop, doesn't need it to be useful just eye-catching   
4. I just love a solid piece of wood as a accent table.
5. Quirky crockery is a must to serve a bit humour in your home! 
6. No comment needed here!!!
7. Fun, vintage and i just love to travel.  Add wooden legs to one of these and you have the cutest bedside table...
8. My home is full of baskets, i always find a good use for them and the perfect place.
9. I will own one of these some day...  This is the most beautifully designed chair to relax and read in, the classic Eames Lounger and Ottoman. 
10. I love to find homes for fun, colourful pieces like these little side tables. 

Cape Town - Hot Spot

 Great view from The Blue Peter in Blouberg!  On a very hot autumn day in Cape Town... 

and not a breath of wind......

What did you get up to this weekend? 

Butterfly World

It was a very hot day in Cape Town yesterday, so we decided to take the kids down to Butterfly World, just outside Stellenbosch. (Yes it did feel a bit like a sauna towards the end!). 
I have to say I wasn't expecting much, just some exotic butterflies flying around and yes there are loads!  There were so many that you kind of had to dodge a few! 

What was really surprising was all the other little creatures just hanging about!!! There are birds, chameleons, lizards, marmosets, snakes and so much more.  I can't give them all away, take the kids, it fun! 

Our two loved it, there was so much to see.  The staff was great, really friendly, even brought out some of the reptiles and parrot for us pat.   I have to be honest I was a bit nervous around the parrot! Reminded me of the nasty one, Nigel in Rio...... 

This is a place I will defiantly go back to.. There is also a sweet little coffee shop just outside with some amazing cakes!....... Just saying.....or a great stop to rehydrate before leaving.  
So if you are wondering what to do with the kids over the weekend, you won't be disappointed.

Here is how to get there and more information.

Keep little ones warm this winter....

Handmade Knitwear 

These beautifully handmade kids jerseys are just the thing for winter.  Made by a very talented Capetonian lady. She knits these Jerseys during her free time from her full time job to earn some extra cash for her savings.

If you would like to purchase or more information please email or post a comment below and i will be more then pleased to make the connection.   

Saturday Night Glam

Saturday Night Glam by lovemakesthehome 

Spar Woman's Race

Spar Woman's 10km/5km race - 2014

A great start to a Sunday morning!  This race is not for the competitor!  There is just so many people there that the first km you actually have to walk.  

Its a HUGE fun run for a great cause!  I enjoyed myself and will be back next year!

KDAY 2014

KDAY2014 - 29 March 2014

KDAY 2014 - The festival that Cape Town raved about for months finally arrived and it was loads of fun..   
I was especially keen on watching Mi Casa and their performance was just outstanding but what I wasn't expecting was becoming a fan of many others.  Jimmy Nevis was amazing, Prime Circle and The Parlotones also had the crowds going crazy! 

It was a stunning day, jammed packed but well laid out and organised.  The only thing I have to say is there were far too many umbrellas!! If there was a designated area, that area was about 80%  of the grounds! 
The beer was sold out long before the show ended so that too was disappointing for some. 

All round a great concert, i was really impressed with the South African talent and a fun day out with friends..