Madiba Magic Forever

RIP Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela

Madiba's passing was bittersweet. We knew his health had been critical for a number of months and that his life would slowly come to an end. I think most people experienced the same feelings of relief and disbelief when the news of his departure broke. 

City Hall, Cape Town, 6 December 2013

A few years from now, people will ask; "Where were you when you heard the news of Madiba's passing?". My answer will be; "In my bed, chatting on Whatsapp with my boyfriend. My boyfriend sent me three words; 'Madiba died hun.'. As quickly as I could process what I had just read, I switched on my TV and watched in silence as my eyes welled up with tears, as president Zuma announced that our beloved Mandela passed away in his Houghton home at 20:50 on 5 December. A deep sense of sadness enveloped me as I watched the news until 02:00 the following morning.

Two little girls representing the change

 It touched me to see how gently president Zuma broke the news. It felt like Madiba was my own blood relative and that he was part of my family. A tear rolled down my face, as I realised once again what a magnificent contribution Madiba had made, what a force he was and what a loss have suffered.

There is nothing I can say about Madiba that has not been said by counless others. So I reiterate;  He was a man with a purpose, a father to a nation, a son to his father and he lived selflessly, putting South Africans, his family of 52 million people first. He was a man. He was a great man.

Celebration of a legend

I give God all the honour for the life of this legend. Thank You God for sending Your best Freedom Fighter turned, Peace Maker, to prepare the ground and plant the seeds of true Freedom in South Africa. I believe there will be another valliant person with the same passion, by Your grace. I am just not sure if I will be alive to see it.

RIP Madiba, your magic will never fade. Madiba Magic Lives.

For a summarised version of his biography, click here to visit the Nelson Mandela Foundation.

Paying my respects

Got mint? Find out how Peppermint can work for you!

Image Source

Every so often I discover a herb or plant or life enhancing product that I want to share. Peppermint poked my interest this time around.

My other half and I have a favourite refreshing drink we love to share... A virgin Mojito! There is nothing like the cooling refreshing taste of crushed ice, lemon slices and that unmistakeable taste of a few sprigs of peppermint on a hot summer's day. 

Yesterday, I was watching Expresso on SABC3 and the dietician they featured made a recommendation that got me thinking. She said adding fresh peppermint leaves to water is a great way to enjoy water and that its aroma also boosts memory and concentration are promoted by the aroma of peppermint.  Now that is a great benefit!

This made me curious and I wanted to know what other fantastic benefits are locked up inside of this pretty scented leaf. This is what I found:

• According to medical experts, peppermint is aids in soothing nausea and digestive problems.
• Peppermint plants is great for use and growing indoors. So where concentration is required, you can replace flowers in your home or desk with a peppermint pot plant.
• Peppermint oil soaked cotton balls will keep common critters like ants at bay. Ants hate the smell of mint. 
• Peppermint oil mixed with a carrier oil and rubbed on your temples is a great alternative way to ease a headache or sinus congestion according to herbalists.
• A hot steaping cup of peppermint tea before bedtime prepares the mind and body for a deep relaxing rest. This is wonderful for the sleep deprived. Feeling gassy? Have some peppermint tea, apparently its effective in relieving gas build up in the intestines.

There are so many healthy reasons why you should incorporate peppermint into your diet... I have and I am drinking my tea right now... So its not just meant for bad breath or toothpaste! Here is something to consider... The University of Kiels found that Peppermint oil depression and even apathy! Get your mint in and be happy! :)

BodyLove,

Mishtery

Friday Food Fest: Mishtery jams with Jade

Friday Food Fest is all about celebrating good food with joy. Food Jamming with Jade by Jade de Waal does exactly that! Food jamming is a rocking and mouth watering way of preparing food and sharing it with your friends and family. In case you need a reminder of what Food Jamming is about, click here or visit her Facebook page: Food Jams

I jammed to the goodness of Patatas Bravas with a good rib eye and boy was that a hit with my other half and my dad! This is a great weekend recipe. Turn up the music and jam while you breeze through this recipe. :)

So, as I always say... Don't take my word for it, try it for yourself!

Serves 4

500 g waxy potatoes, peeled and cut into wedges vegetable oil, for deep-frying

TOMATO SAUCE

4 Tbsp (60 ml) extra virgin olive oil

1 small onion, finely chopped

1 red chilli, finely chopped

1 x 400 g tin chopped tomatoes

ó tsp (2.5 ml) sugar

ó tsp (2.5 ml) salt

1 tsp (5 ml) smoked paprika

1 tsp (5 ml) red wine vinegar

AÏOLI

1 egg

1 clove garlic

1 cup (250 ml) extra virgin olive oil

salt and freshly ground black pepper

1 tsp (5 ml) red wine vinegar

1. Place the potato wedges in a saucepan of cold salted water, bring to the boil and cook until almost soft, about 10 minutes.

2. Drain the potato wedges and pat dry.

3. Heat a small pot half-fi lled with vegetable oil and deep-fry the potato wedges until golden brown.

4. To make the tomato sauce, heat the olive oil in a heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium heat.

5. Add the onion and brown for 7 minutes until soft.

6. Add the chilli and cook for another 2 minutes.

7. Add the tomatoes, sugar, salt and smoked paprika. Stir well.

8. Bring to a boil, then turn down the heat and simmer for about 10 minutes until thick.

9. Remove from the heat. Stir in the vinegar and adjust the seasoning if necessary.

10. To make the aïoli, place the egg in a food processor together with the garlic.

11. Add 1 Tbsp (15 ml) olive oil and blend until incorporated.

12. Add the rest of the olive oil in a thin stream with the motor running, until you have a creamy mayonnaise-style sauce. Stir in the vinegar and season to taste.

13. To serve, sprinkle the potato wedges with a little salt and serve with the sauce and aïoli on the side.

TIP: You can also use a hand blender instead of a food processor to make the aïoli, but it’s more diffi cult to add ingredients and blend at the same time.

Get it, you will love it! Available at all good bookstores. 

Smokey Bobbi makes the BestList!

I was so excited to do this post, I just had to take a moment before I continue to throw all my Bobbi Brown makeup on my desk this morning and do my Instant Pretty makeup! Ahh, ready! :)

Yesterday was the launch of two pretty amazing editions to the Bobbi Brown counters across South Africa! Every woman wants to try the iconic smokey eye look, and every woman should! The only problem is that it seems intimidating, plus what if you mess it up you could look like a royal flop? 

NEW SMOKEY EYE MASCARA

Bobbi Brown has created a new range called the Smoking Hot Smokey Eye Collection which makes the BestList! This collection features a stunning and beautifully packaged Smokey Eye Mascara which lives up to its promise! Its super-saturated kajal pigmented formula provides high drama and long-wear with its colour intensity. The brush separates, defines and it completely buildable! 

Bobbi's Smokey Eye Mascara

NEW SMOKEY EYE KAJAL LINER

I love this eye liner! It is super-blendable, richly pigmented and effortless to use! This dual-ended liner contains a creamy colour which creates just the desired amount of drama with use of the built-in smudger. So incase you are wondering... This dreamy liner is formulated with Palm Kernel and Japanese Fruit wax. This is awesome! Trust me! These ingredients makes the application of the pencil smooth, effortless with even colour distribution without tugging of the eyelid. Available in six different colours to suit your style. 

Smokey Eye Kajal Liner 

Book Now to experience Bobbi's NEW Smokey Eye Mascara and NEW Smokey Kajal Eye

Liners at the Bobbi Brown Make-up School at one of the following stores: 

Canal Walk

021 821 1500

14 – 20 October 2013

V&A Waterfront

021 418 8188

22 – 27 October 2013

Tygervalley

021 914 2072

29 October – 03 November 2013

Sandton

011 884 4818

22 - 28 October 2013

Menyln

012 369 8500

23 – 27 October 2013

Eastgate

011 622 9982

29 October – 03 November 2013

You will love this experience! Try it for yourself! Don't take my word for it!

I haven't been blogging and this is why!

Good morning world!

In a nutshell the Mishtery's life changed so much in the last two months! There is a multitude of reasons why I took sooo long to post!

Top reasons why I have not been able to blog:

1. I resigned from my job as designer at a top publishing company to join magazines. 
2. I have worked like a crazy person finishing my notice period! 
3. Admin, due to job change! Yes people, beware! I didn't realize how time consuming this would be.
4. I joined magazines! A great new mag every woman in my age group should buy.
5. A new kitchen. What a dramatic process. *Life interrupted* *dramatic screams*
6. Deadlines. New job. Good impression. Time needed.
7. Tired.
8. I turned 30!! My eyes failed me and I now need specs! 
9. I went to the dentist and have to have my wisdoms removed!
10. Too tired! *brutal honesty*

After seven years working in book publishing, my colleague and I have decided to pursue new careers! Look at the pretty farewell gifts! Leaving the people was the hardest. 

My birthday was on the 10th of September and I was spoilt rotten! From spa treatments, flowers, cake to hand bags, yummy beauty products and my new team singing Happy Birthday in English and Afrikaans! I think my favourite part was driving to work and seeing the brightest, boldest rainbow! Thank You Big Guy! 

Okay, so I am starting a new kind of post called... BestList... If I could only be Oprah... Everyone would have been getting one! Or maybe someone will be getting one! Hmmm, that sounds like a good plan! Stay tuned!
My Best list at this moment is: Bobbi Brown, Narciso Rodriguez for her and yes in the spirit of good braai's every where, Jan Braai Vuurwarm. 

How appropriate, with all the changes the past few months... I thought it was the best kind of irony to be offered a table at Madame Zingara... As my life has been a huge adjustment, filled with many great blessings... It has been a real Theatre of Dreams... [Bottom left: Raylene from Innocently Oblivious blog and me on the right! Check out our amazing art on the left eye! ]

BodyLove,

Mishtery

Jade de Waal is Wow! A Woman of Wonder!

_________

I love August! It really is the Woman's Month! In celebration of women, I am featuring three 

Women of Wonder and adding a little something to sweeten this deal!
Give away time!

_________

Yesterday I had the pleasure of celebrating two big occasions in this young lady's life! The first is Jade's  23rd birthday! And the second is the launch of Jade's cookbook, Food Jamming with Jade!

Image: Food Jamming with Jade

About Jade!

This is one impressive young woman! At 23, Jade has so many accolades to her name from being amongst the youngest participants on the first season of MasterChef in South Africa, to award-wining musician, an activist in the community and founder of Food Jams to name only a few!

Jade is well-known as a fresh, vibrant foodie! Her love for food began as a young girl with strong influences from her mom, grand mothers and aunt, Sonia Cabano! According to Jade's father she found the right balance of traditional and modern cuisine. This young woman has big dreams of studying under the tutelage of Jamie Oliver and home-grown, Ruben Riffel! Jade is currently working and gaining experience at The Mount Nelson Hotel in Cape Town and wants to eventually open her own cooking school!

Food Jams? What is a Food Jam?

It is a great time with friends or strangers, no alcohol required, or upon request! LOL A Food Jam is a gathering of people who cook together with music in the background and the emphasis is on FUN! Jade initially started Food Jamming with friends for fun and it grew from friends to strangers getting to know each other, to corporate team building and it is growing day by day!  Watch this video!

 

I had the pleasure of rubbing shoulders with seasoned foodie journos, bloggers and booksellers at Jade's parents' home where the Food Jams are hosted. Ahh, I am in love with that house and the kitchen... I was in culinary heaven! The food was delectable! It was a feast. With mini stoves, untensils, pots, pans, fresh ingredients and the desire for cooking... Jade nailed the perfect party for Food Lovers and closet-chefs like yours truly!

We cooked pork gourgette burgers, patatas bravas with the most amazing sauce, puff daddies and Sweet potato and prawn cakes which are so good... I swear, my tastebuds ascended to heaven for a few moments and then returned to its rightful place! WOW!

And on that note, I emplore you to get up and jam, food style! NB Publishers sponsored A Bunch of Mish-takes blog with two signed copies of Jade's cookbook for two lucky winners!

Enter this competition to win this fantastic book. It is so much fun, you might just find your other cookbooks jamming at all hours of the night when you add this one to your collection.

Let your dreams be your Arsenal!

This morning my other half insisted that I watch a clip of a Vietnamese Arsenal soccer fan! I was thinking, it is too early for this and I am not in the mood for soccer but I am glad that inspite of my lack of excitement, that I watched it. The clip is called the Running Man! It is about a young fan who runs 5 miles (that is 8 kilometres) after a bus carrying his dream team. You must really do yourself a favour and watch this clip... While watching this clip, I was thinking... Aghh... but then I saw this youngster running and later riding on the back of a scooter to meet the Arsenal team. It made me realise, that this guy was chasing a dream. One that seemed like it would not succeed... LOL

It takes heart to go after your dreams...Team that is! A simple clip with a strong message that says... If you really put your mind to it, you will gain the fire to chase your dreams!

Thank you to a great Arsenal fan for sharing this clip with me! Now I get to share it with all of you!

Have a great day friends!

BodyLove,
Mishtery

Ps. Did you see the abs on that Running man?!

Bobbi Brown shares her secret with Mishtery!

 Every woman wants to be a flawless beauty. Sometimes you want to roll out of your bed, get ready in 5-10 minutes and face the day confidently. Now, to be naturally beautiful is one thing... Because everyone has natural beauty but, to be flawless is unfortunately not in every woman's cards... This woman included...

A few weeks ago I visited Bobbi Brown at Tyger Valley's Edgars. All my life makeup has been a terrible struggle because of the dark circles under my eyes. These rings of horror become so defined when I am tired or having sinus problems and then the dreaded women's troubles also paints panda eyes onto my face. Everytime I think I've found the right makeup to conceal my areas of concern, its in vain... Because I have to plaster my face with foundation, which I don't really like to do. Until...

Bobbi Brown's Corrector and Concealer combination restored my faith in wearing makeup with confidence.  Bobbi Brown's phillosophy is keeping it natural! Being natural gets the BodyLove stamp of approval from me!

The history of Bobbi

As with all success stories, Bobbi Brown had a passion... Her's was and still is makeup. From a young age, Bobby loved watching her mom practise her beauty rituals. She later studied the art of theatrical makeup as a result and moved to the Big Apple to work as a makeup artist. She quickly realised that there was a gap in the market for natural looking makeup that enhances beauty and does not make a woman look overly made up.

She revolutionized the beauty industry by introducing 10 brown-based lipsticks. The birth of these lipsticks was the start of the established revolutionary brand we  know and love.
 

She believes in teaching her makeup artists to teach women to be there own pro artist. So when I visited the Bobbi counters at Tyger Valley Centre and the V&A Waterfront, I had the Pretty Powerful and Instant Pretty makeup lessons. The great thing is that you receive a personalised face chart that lists the products used during your lesson. This is a free service! So it is a must try!

Do yourself a favour and visit a Bobbi Brown counter and let her A-team teach you how to look your best and enhance your beauty. Do it! Don't take my word for it, try it for yourself!

BodyLove,
Mishtery

The Vintage Experience of Aletta to Alice

As you all know, the buzz around Cape Town is Vintage! It is a trend for the bold, fashionable and daring!

Last year I was behind the scenes of a photoshoot done for Aletta to Alice, a vintage brand that does not fail to impress the old-fashioned at heart! This is an online store owned by a friend of mine with a great eye for vintage and style!

Aletta to Alice will be at the Mid-Year Market by The Vintage Experience at Truth Coffee Cult located: The Fringe Design District, 36 Buitenkant Street, Cape Town

Make an evening of it on 26 June (tomorrow night)! The market will be from 5pm to 9pm. Join us! There will be pizza's, goooood coffee, great fashion at excellent prices! See you there!  :)

Join Aletta to Alice on Facebook to keep up to date with the great vintage updates!

Jo Malone makes scents to Mishtery!

Ah smell, the most underrated sense of the human body... Until you have encountered the heart-warming aroma of freshly baked bread, the crisp air after the rain or the scent of your partner’s scarf when you bury your nose in it to shield you from the cold. Fragrance is to the nose as heaven is to the Angels.

As a creative, I am invigorated by passionate people who inspire through their craft. After visiting The World of Jo Malone in the V&A Waterfront, I am certain that this is not just cologne, it is unadulterated art! Perfumery has always poked my interest, so this past Saturday my bff and blogger, Raylene of Diary of an Innocently Oblivious and Hapicup and I visited Jo Malone.

Jo Malone

Jo Malone is an undeniable brand if you are a perfume connoisseur. Jo Malone is a London brand! Straight out of the UK. Jo pushes the boundaries of making scents and experiments with unlikely ingredients such as Saffron and Lime Basil. What I love about Jo Malone is the freedom to create. Each one of her perfumes is ready to wear on its own and can be layered or used together in what she trademarked as The Art of Fragrance Combining.  I thought that you have to spend exorbitant amounts of money to be able to afford bespoke fragrance, but Jo Malone makes it possible to own my own signature fragrance. It is still pricey but I can build my bespoke scent over time and money. 

The Tasting Bar

The staff at Jo Malone will assist you in tailoring the perfect combination that will suit you and your body’s chemistry.  Jo believes layering different textures (such as crèmes, body oils and bath scents) of the scents that you like to forge a longer lasting scent. When I was treated to The Tasting Bar, the combining process was explained to me and scents were chosen according to my preference.

Remember:  A good cologne or perfume comprises of a top note or head note which you will smell right away, a middle note or heart note that carries the sent before the top note diffuses and a base note which you will smell after 30 minutes. I will do a follow up post that will explain  fragrances in depth.

 

My arms and hands were wiped down with a warm towel to open my pores and prep the skin. This is followed by the bath oil, Pomegranate Noir and the application of velvety body crème and the grand finale of Jasmine and Mint cologne sprayed onto my skin and followed by a cupped motion of the hands to blend the scents. 

What a wonderful experience! I still feel heady and overwhelmed by the luxury, quality of service and product that makes Jo Malone a pungent force in the world of fragrances. This is a service that is available to you at no cost upon request when you visit Jo Malone. Upon completion you will be given a chart with a fragrance arc and the assistant will record the combination for you to keep. I recommend you try the Tasting bar! You will love it. Don’t take my word for it though, try it for yourself.

A special thank you to Raylene of Diary of an Innocently Oblivious and Hapicup for being my photographer for the day and to the Glamour Gloss Girls at Topshop SA for beautiful blue manicure!

The rest of the photos are on my Facebook page, A Bunch of Mish-takes, if you want to see more! :)

An Instaweek!

So the Mishtery took to Instagram and I love it! Here are some Instapics of the week!

If you see any pics you like, follow me on Instagram @Mishtery10 and I will follow you back.  :)

InstaMish!

BodyLove: Ashleigh shares her love!

Ashleigh Davids is a confident young wordsmith, a singer, a poet, an editor and a blogger. A creative force. A free spirit. I met Ash through mutual friends and right away I loved her passion, genuine interest in people and her hair! This woman is one to follow. So watch this space. At 20 she was named Editor in chief of Live magazine...  I asked Ashleigh to write her thoughts on BodyLove, to share with you. Enjoy!

I’m at a crossroads, far away from my intended healthy eating plan or enthusiastic exercise routine, somewhere between throwing out the clothes in my cupboard I feel are unflattering and no longer wear, taking better care of my frizzy hair and continuing my path of minimal makeup and modest dress sense.

As I venture on and thrive to make better decisions concerning my health, body and lifestyle I find myself in a fix. I’ve always been aware of the various products, services, activities and practical changes alike that one could make to improve and better ones life, and furthermore, ones perception of self and level of BodyLove.

I’ve also known that these things could quickly become a crutch, a lifeline, a necessity we feel we cannot live without - an unwelcome god which we worship and idolize. I did not want that.

Truth is none of these things, however beneficial, will ever make us beautiful. We were created that way.

Coming to a full and complete sense of body love, is perhaps an eternal journey and lifetime commitment more than it is an occasion or a milestone at the end of a race.

There are many things about me I love, and other things I hope to improve - equally sure that this is as much an emotional, mental and spiritual quest as it is physical - I watchfully guard my mind, body and spirit.

BodyLove starts with a conscious choice. A conscious choice I made yesterday, one I make today, tomorrow and every other day of my life.

What do you choose?

BodyLove,
Ashleigh

Connect with Ashleigh:
Blog: http://ashleighdavids.wordpress.com/
Twitter: @AshleighDavids

A bag of Mish-tricks saves the night!

It seems everything happens on a Friday! Have you noticed how crunch time always seem to take ownership of what should be the winding-down day of the week? Well, Friday past was no exception. I found myself sleep deprived and managing to just about stay awake mentally for the most part.

Let me tell you Tuesday to Friday has been nothing but deadlines, urgent matters and bleh... Too much of everything. So in this zombie-like, preoccupied and panicked state, I reserved my seat to attend our annual book awards ceremony and later cancelled. Long story short, I ended up attending this semi-formal event at The Commodore hotel with a pair of skinny jeans and beaded jersey. FACE PALM. I swore then and there never to be unprepared ever again! So here is what saved the day! A bag of Mish-tricks! In a flat spin I accquired the following items that would transform my look from day time to evening.

The Bag!
I swopped my work tote for this cute studded number. I chose this bag because I like the size and it sharpened my look without looking like I tried too hard. A clutch would do the trick too but I felt like bringing my own flavour. 

The Heel!
I hate high heel shoes! Yes, I know... Not very lady like but they kill my feet. If you are going to suffer, wear a shoe that wow's while you owe in your head... Guilty! I thought this number was a great choice.

The Props
I love accessories and hardly ever buy anything without acquiring at least one accessory. I figured... since I will in all likelihood have a glass of vino, I would make a statement with a nice cocktail ring. My hair was not particularly fresh and clean, so I had a nice sleek bun and to draw attention away from my not so Pantene hair... I went for a larger pair of earings. Pretty vintage flower. :)

The Makeup
One thing that a makeup artist taught me was to draw attention to either the eyes or the lips... I chose the eyes. I always have my smokey eye trio shadow, concealer, white eye pencil and a pot rouge! To quote Bobbi Brown; "Concealer is the secret of the universe..." Makeup universe that is... It covers my dark circles caused by lack of sleep, sinus and allergies. (Also known as the beating the week laid on me.) My own favourite item in my makeup bag is my white eye pencil! It makes the eyes look fresh and bright. Only lining the bottom of my eyelid does the trick. Thank goodness for pot rouge! This is revolutionary. Its lip colour and cheek colour in one! Mascara is my personal preference rather than black eye pencil and if I can recommend a product, the Elizabeth Arden Ceramide Lift Mascara is perfect. It strengthens and lengthens lashes! Try it!



The Conclusion
A great time was had by all and this is what I looked like! It took 10 minutes to achieve this look.

A Mish-take: I am stuffing all these transforming goodies into my studded bag of Mish-tricks and leaving it in my car's boot! Girls, you should be jumping on this band wagon and creating your own bag of Mish-tricks! If you have your own quick tricks, please comment below! Let me know!

Mishtakenly,
Mishtery