African Gem

I'm so excited to share this amazing boutique I discovered in Long street, Cape Town.  This is one of the most beautiful boutiques I've ever been in.  

Merchants On Long house only the best of African Design.  What makes it stand out is how beautifully decorated it is. A fabulous showcase for the unique creations produced by our talented African designers. 

Merchants On Long a part of the World Design Capital - Cape Town 1014

NAIL TIP: Solution for Dry Flaking Nails

For years I have toyed with my nails, I love seeing beautifully manicured nails. I must admit though I didn't always make the time to look after them myself so when Acrylics became the IN thang I was all over it!!  From very young I started experimenting with acrylic nails. Back then it was very fashionable to have nails uncomfortably long with a truly bold French manicure. 

Times have changed (hallelujah) and acrylics have evolved to gel, which is supposed to be better for your own nail and a lot more flexible, and now we have Shellac, this is a nail polish with gel like finish still using the UV lamp.      

I have tried them all and love them at first but I get bored after about the third trip to the salon! Honestly... I don't have the patience to sit for an hour (if she's speedy) kinda like watching paint dry! 
I stop going for a few months then Id return.  Why!!! because my nails became weak and brittle and kept breaking. 

As a result I've always struggled with weak, flaky nails. 

So about five months ago I decided that WAS IT ...... my last trip to the SALON!!!!  I vowed to spend 30mim, every other day or so keeping my nails looking good!  

I have tried many nail treatments but recently I came across a varnish by Sally Hansen, Powerful Acrylic Gel, (a coincidence maybe!!) that I bought in Portugal but hadn't used yet.  Ive been using it for about a month now, on its own or as a base and it has defiantly made a difference, from ten I only have three nails left with a flaky tip to grow out.  My nails are also a lot stronger too. The best I’ve ever used.  I bought mine in Portugal, at the Continente but I have seen them at Clicks in South Africa and for my friends in the UK you can order it off Amazon.

Do you have any amazing nail solutions?  Share them with me.....    

Beach House Accessories

Beach House Accessories by lovemakesthehome featuring wood wall art

Every beach house has to have the accessories to bring it all together. Here are some ideas!

Latest obsession....... Coconut Oil

Have you heard about how amazing and versatile coconut oil is??   I'm sure you have coz everyone is talking about it.  You can use it for cooking and for baking even down to applying it all over your body.   
I have not yet tried it in the kitchen (I'm Portuguese and we have our own little obsession with olive oil) I have however tried it ALL over my body and I have to say that yes its GREAT but don't go throwing all your other products away just yet!!!!

Here are some tips if you're going to try it..

1. The day face - great when used in the morning before applying sun protection and BB cream or foundation. I thought it would leave my skin oily and shiny but it didn't, my skin felt smooth and actually a good base when applying the other products. 
2. The going to bed face - it can be used alone in the summer but its winter here and I have found that its not enough so I like to apply my moisturiser over to seal the moister in.  That worked a lot better.    
3. Body - applied after a shower/bath is great and it leaves you with silky soft skin and a subtle coconut scent.
4. Lips -  not the best plain old Vaseline is worlds better. 
5. Hair -  now this is my favourite.  I apply it all over my hair and pin my hair up into a bun, leave it on over night and sometimes right through the next day.  I've been doing this once a week (for a month) and have noticed my hair is a lot softer and hydrated. I HAD to apply Moroccan oil before and after blow drying my hair and now I don't need to, its great!!  

If you are going to try it only buy an extra virgin cold-pressed coconut oil as its closest to its natural state, otherwise its not the real deal!! 

Have you got some amazing tips using coconut oil that you would like to share.  Drop me a comment below.

Photos from my Walk in Cape Town City Centre

What a beautiful City we live in.....

Green Market Square

Company's Garden

A film crew in town

Piece of the Berlin Wall 

A special place....

Time for me!

Before having children we get to spend a lot of time on our own, yes I'm talking to all you parents out there!! You know we take that for granted! We forget how important it is to have time to ourselves......

Since becoming a mother I haven't had the opportunity of just spending at least 24hours just with ME! No friends, no husband but just me. Until this weekend and I have to say it has been bliss. This was my husbands doing actually, a special gift for mothers day. I now realise how important it is for a mom and yes also a dad to take time out to just unwind and relax and put their thoughts in order or maybe not even think at all. 
Having children is the best gift in the world but it comes with its many challenges, whether you have one child or four. So now and again if you feel you are loosing your mind take yourself away from it all and you will feel stronger and a lot more revived. I know I do..

I escaped to the lovely town of Franschhoek (French Corner), with it being in the Winelands there is variety of incredible wine estates, some of the finest restaurants and art galleries worth visiting.

View from the Gardens 

A warm and sweet welcome

This time I didn't come for that, all I came to do was relax and...... Mission accomplished!!

Rooms are beautifully decorated

I stayed at the Le Franschhoek Hotel, this wasn't my first time which was fine because i was on my own. It is a lovely stay, the hotel is up on a hill so you have an amazing view of the mountains. Staff is friendly and willing to accommodate. Its not a new hotel so in some areas it's looking a little ragged unfortunately.

My dinner!!!

Their Camelot spa is amazing and the therapists have always been great. This time I had a Camelot Universal Signature Massage and a Thalgo Spa Skin Treatment (facial). The massage left me feeling relaxed and revived. I didn't walk out feeling drowsy which was nice. Be prepared to have your head massaged and hair pulled and ruffled slightly so don't go to the hairdressers before this massage!!!  I ended up applying coconut oil to my hair to condition it over night. The Facial was one of the best I have ever had, an algae base treatment.  I could see a difference on my skin immediately,  plump and hydrated, best of all it looked and left the same in the morning. Worth a try! 

Yet another warm and sweet welcome at the Spa  

Waiting room at the Spa

Best of all I feel rejuvenated, relaxed and full of positive energy and ready to tackle my little rascals once again.  Love and look after your family but also remember to look after yourself...

       Good job I have a fab husband to remind me!!!!!

           Sof xx

Natural Home Made Face Mask

Like many woman on this planet I have spent a lot of time and money trying all sorts of lotions and potions on a mission to slow down the ageing process and I wonder how much damage I haven't done to my skin in the process.  

Don't get me wrong I am still on that same mission but I'm trying some new tools! I've decided to go down the natural route using ingredients that I would actually eat!  

"If its good to eat its good enough to be on my body!"  

Here is a mask I have tried and loved.  Its simple to make, all you need are three ingredients and more then likely you have them at home.  Just mix them together (amounts are below) and apply on your face, neck and décolletage. leave it on for about 20min and remove with warm water.  

I felt a cooling effect during the treatment, once removed my skin felt silky smooth and refreshed. I recommend using it once week for normal skin and twice a week if you are experiencing a few breakouts. 





Benefits 

Yogurt:       ONLY Use plain yogurt as it contains important nutrients which are amazing for your skin, like zinc, calcium, lactic acid and Vitaman B12, B & B5.

Olive oil:    Olive oil is said to have a regenerative power over skin tissue so regular use will ensure that your skin remains soft smooth and also toned and firmed. 

Honey:       It has antibacterial properties, packed with antioxidants so helps slow down the ageing process, it also helps unclog pores.   

Where to find Organic Chocolate.

One of my favourite areas in Cape Town is Woodstock.   Within my first few months in Cape Town I accidentally ended up at the Old Biscuit Mill, I was looking for a dinning room table, something different, so I did a little search on google and it took me to Woodstock.  
Obviously, I found exactly what I was looking for and from that day I knew that I would be spending a lot more time in this town. 

So yesterday I was introduced to THE WOODSTOCK EXCHANGE.  I had driven past a few times and was always curious to know what i'd find inside, well I was not disappointed.  

Now i'm BIG on Chocolate and all for a healthier living, so you can imagine my delight when I came across this amazing organic chocolate house.

They are called HONEST and as you enter the shop you get this amazing chocolate aroma and you feel like you are transported back into the 50's.

They make all their chocolates using the finest raw, organic Ecuadorian cacao.  There are no preservatives, artificial flavouring or emulsifiers.  The chocolate just melts in your mouth and is so flavourful!  I tried the classic truffle and I couldn't leave without purchasing a box. They are also free from dairy and cane sugar so a much healthier option. 

Apart from the truffles they also make chocolate slabs, dairy-free ice-cream, spread and other chocolate delights. How awesome are these figures below!! 

So if you love a good chocolate treat pay these guys a visit.  You can find them at the Woodstock Exchange or visit their website here.  On the website you will also find a long list of outlets within the country, so handy!.  

Stay connected for some more amazing places in The Woodstock Exchange that will blow your mind!

Till next time XX

       Sofia 

A Mother's Day showered with LOVE

Many of us put so much pressure on ourselves to get the perfect mother's day gift, but since becoming a mom I have realised that Mother's Day gifts are the easiest to buy or better still make! Sure you want to get your MOM the best but what mom's really want is to be appreciated & loved and maybe not have to do much that day!!  

Here are my TOP 10 ideas:  

1. Herbs, if your mom enjoys cooking and likes to use fresh herbs this is a great gift, always nice to know you have them handy.
2. A quirky card that tells her she is the BEST!
3. The finest chocolates will melt her heart, some are actually great when paired with wine.
4. A bunch of wild flowers or rustic bouquet is just so pretty, get the little ones involved in picking the flowers or arranging them.  Great gift for their Grandmothers, Ah...
5. Beautifully decorated cupcakes are still a winner.
6. If your mom has a sense of humour she will love these coffee MUG's, make sure you give it to her with her favourite coffee, tea or hot chocolate.
7. Go on.... Bake her a cake, how many birthday cakes can you remember her baking for you? 
8. Breakfast in bed (yes an oldie) just forget the newspaper bring the iPad and she is full of smiles...
9. These spa socks are just amazing! Get her to put her feet up and relax, bring her cup of coffee and leave her in silence for the 20min (as per the instructions) and she will love you for it! 
10. Here is the one that many of us mom's NEED the most, a morning to just sleep in.....

All mom's really need is to be showered with love, hugs and kisses.  So if your mom is near, give her a big hug and tell her you love her and how special she is, and if she is far.....  Don't forget to call!


Enjoy celebrating mothers day!!  

       XX Sof

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Roberto Cavalli:

"Don't overdo it.  The line between vulgar and sexy is sometimes very thin"