MAY 2020 - Ballito.Umhlanga

BALLITO • UMHLANGA 

LOCKDOWN 

LIVING 

Let’s stay in! 

Spa spoils 

in your abode 

Mama Wanda 

changing lives & 

improving health 

HOME OFFICE 

REVAMP 

BRIDAL BLISS 

Big and bold or small and intimate . . . inspiration for every bride-to-be 

SHOPPING, PEOPLE AND LIFESTYLE IN YOUR NEIGHBOURHOOD 

MAY 2020

13 

YEARS 

UMDLOTI BEACH | LIKE A PRIVATE ESTATE SUNRISE 

AND SUNSET VIEWS 

Sea views from every angle of this family home which is easy living at its best. 

R8 500 000 3 3.5 3 350m 2 

BALLITO | A DELIGHTFUL END APARTMENT 

Beautiful communal gardens, 2 swimming pools and braai facilities - a short 

walk to the beach. 

3 2 1 157m 

R1 999 000 

2 

DUAL MANDATE 

SIMBITHI | SECURE LOCK UP AND GO 

Filled with light, this home offers easy living with a good flow for modern living. 

R4 850 000 3 2 2 252m 2 

Fiona Crago 

082 551 2607 

fiona@fionacrago.co.za 

Janelle Maritz 

083 694 6338 

janelle@fionacrago.co.za 

Jackie Futter 

083 326 7958 

jackie@fionacrago.co.za 

Invest. Intelligently. 

032 946 1439 | www.fionacrago.co.za

GET IT 

Editorial 

Phone 032 946 0276 

Email leah@getitnc.co.za 

Ballito Business Centre • Ballito Drive 

Ballito • KwaZulu-Natal 

Like our Facebook page: 

Get It Magazine Ballito.Umhlanga 

Follow us on Twitter: @GetItMagNC 

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Editor Leah Shone 

leah@getitnc.co.za 

Journalist Elana Wagner 

elana@getitnc.co.za 

Layout and Design 

Nicole von Metzinger 

ads@northcoastcourier.co.za 

Advertising Justine Douglas 

justine@getitnc.co.za 

082 454 9222 

GET IT NATIONAL 

National Group Editor and National 

Sales Kym Argo 

082 785 9230 

kyma@caxton.co.za 

Distribution 

20 000 copies monthly 

Get It Ballito • Umhlanga is distributed 

free of charge in Ballito, Salt Rock, Umhlali, 

Umdloti, Umhlanga Rocks, Umhlanga 

Ridge and Gateway 

Published by The North Coast Courier 

Competition rules 

The judges’ decision is final. Prizes cannot be 

transferred or redeemed for cash. Competitions 

are not open to the sponsors or Caxton 

employees or their families. Get It Magazine 

reserves the right to publish the names of 

winners, who will be contacted telephonically 

and need to collect their prizes from Get it Ballito 

branch within 10 days or they will be forfeited. 

Prize winners’ names are published on our 

Facebook page monthly. 

Cover: Pamela McNeil 

Shot by: The Shank Tank, www.theshanktank. 

com,083 233 9962, @theshanktank 

Make up: Pamela McNeil, @_pamjam_ 

Dress & studio space: Julia Ferrandi 

Bridal,juliaferrandi@gmail.com, @juliaferrandi 

CONTENTS 

WHY DON’T YOU… 

2 Stay at home and . . . learn to cook, taste some wine, dig in your 

garden or enjoy a fabulous read! 

WISH LIST 

6 Floral works of art, gorgeous jewels and comforting treats - spoil 

mom this month of May! 

SOCIALS 

8 Celebrating 40 years of success with AMC Hunter 

9 Classy Cameron James Real Estate opens up at Simbithi Office Park 

PEOPLE 

10 Harley-riding mechanical and aeronautical engineer Sonia Gonzalez 

breaks all the stereotypes! 

12 We talk #momlife in lockdown with 6 North Coast social media 

influencers 

HEALTH & BEAUTY 

22 Natural beauty inspiration . . . in the comfort of your home! 

FOOD & DRINK 

26 Mama Wanda inspires us to keep eating healthy at home . . . try one 

of her yummy recipes! 

29 Meet your health and wellness needs with the goodness that 

comes from Harvest Table 

HOME DECOR 

30 Working from home and need a home office revamp? Meet the 

dynamic ladies from Dandelion Designs! 

32 Add some calm and serenity to your home with shades of indigo... 

BRIDAL FEATURE 

36 Meet KZN wedding planning guru and owner of Oh Happy Day, 

Joelene Botha 

38 Inspired by Autumn hues and textures . . . have a look at this 

charming, exquisite bridal shoot for dress, floral and makeup ideas! 

42 Make sure the shoe fits . . . and that it’s beautiful and on-trend! 

44 Capturing the moment is one of the most (if not the most) 

important things on your wedding day 

TRAVEL 

48 If you, like us, adore a good bush escape, then the Kruger Explorer 

app is the ultimate must-have accessory! 

MAY 2020 

19887 copies distributed (October - December 2019) 

May 2020 Get It • Ballito Umhlanga 01

A hot date! 

You don’t have to go out to have fun 

Get digging 

Get your garden into tip-top shape 

before winter with the help of SA’s best 

known gardening guru. Gardening 

with Keith Kirsten is the latest edition 

of this super-helpful book and this one 

includes more indigenous species, 

locally bred hybrids and water wise 

plants. R350. 

Play the game 

We love a game that’s fun and After Dinner Amusements has a whole 

heap to choose from. In Family Time there are 50 thoughtful and playful 

questions about the past, present, and future, which should inspire great 

family conversations. Other games include Riddle Me This, Name That 

Word and Love Trivia. All under R200 each from Exclusive Books, where 

you’ll also find other fab choices ... how about Dog Bingo (R385), Dungeons 

and Dragons Starter Box (R402), or the old favourite, 30 Seconds Junior 

(R584), which is always hugely enjoyable for the whole family. 

02 Get It • Ballito Umhlanga May 2020 

Pop the corn ... a trio of box office thrillers 

The Informer is about an undercover special ops agent whose life takes a 

dramatic turn after he agrees to go to jail to protect his identity and save the lives 

of his wife and daughter. Except that things don’t exactly go to plan once he’s in 

jail… A solid, entertaining action-thriller.• Golden Globe and Emmy winner, Bruce 

Willis, and Chad Michael Murray star in Survive the Night. This film follows a 

disgraced doctor and his family who are held hostage at their home by criminals 

on the run when a robbery gone awry requires them to seek immediate medical 

attention.• Game of Thrones star, Emilia Clarke features in Above Suspicion, a 

crime thriller that’s based on the true story of a newly married FBI agent who 

starts an illicit affair with an impoverished local woman. She sees in him her 

means of escape – instead, it’s a ticket to disaster for both of them. This scandal 

shook the foundations of America’s top law enforcement agency, ending in the 

first-ever conviction of an FBI agent for murder. 

Netflix and chill 

‘On June 18, 2019, the Federal Government announced the creation of a 6th major 

division of the United States Armed Forces. The goal of the new branch is ‘to defend 

satellites from attack’ and ‘perform other space-related tasks’ or something. This is 

the story of the men and women who have to figure it out’. The big Netflix comedy 

series of 2020 is finally here with Steve Carrell returning for his first TV sitcom 

since The Office, in Space Force. Throughout the first 10 episodes, he’ll be 

joining up with Greg Daniels in creating another workplace comedy, this time 

aimed at the US Space Force regiment. This series receives our one-to-watch of 

the month with a huge line-up of stars. 

Get your poker face on 

Poker. Gin rummy. Cheat. Solitaire. We’ve found the 

chirpiest cards ever. These 52 playing cards feature 

illustrations of beautiful birds ... from the cheerful red cardinal 

to the majestic white swan, the flamboyant great blue turaco 

to the imposing California condor, the cards are organised 

by colour. Buy them online for R215 from pezulainteriors. 

co.za. And for ideas, visit playingcarddecks.com, where you’ll 

find a list of more than 40 card games, with links to clear, easy 

instructions. A brilliant way to spend an evening.

Invite your friends 

over for a wine tasting 

May 21 is International Chardonnay 

Day ... so why not have a Chardonnay 

tasting? Make it fun. Have a blind 

tasting (pour the wines into decanters 

and label by number, or wrap the 

bottles in foil or brown paper bags). 

Make sure there are palate cleansers 

– water crackers or some lovely fresh, 

unbuttered white bread is all you 

need. We know you’re meant to sip or 

spit ... these are so lovely we’d suggest 

the sip route. After the tasting, make 

something delicious to enjoy with 

your favourite. Here are some to try. 

The Christina Chardonnay is a 

full-bodied, oak matured, serious 

wine to accompany fine food – we’re 

talking good shellfish, rich chicken 

dishes and creamy pastas. R139.99 

• All lime and nectarine, passion fruit 

and peach, Zandvliet Chardonnay 

is a rich wine that’s lovely with fish 

or pork dishes, soufflés and cheese 

platters. R125. • A lighter style of the 

cultivar can be experienced in the 

unwooded, medium-bodied Van 

Loveren Chardonnay. It’s delicate 

and refreshing, bursting with fruit 

flavours. Enjoy with sesame-crusted 

chicken strips served on a bed of crisp 

salad, cucumber, cherry tomatoes 

and a honey balsamic dressing. 

R69.99 • Also light is the Tangled Tree 

Chardonnay. Only lightly wooded 

it’s creamy and full and perfect with 

creamy pasta dishes, roast pork, grilled 

fish or chicken. R49.99. 

Learn to cook ... online 

You don’t need to leave home to 

become a domestic goddess. Learn to 

make sweet treats with Sarah Graham. 

Or quick and easy dinners with Kamini 

Pather. How about mastering meat 

with Peter Goffe-Wood, or being 

shown how to whip up indulgent 

chocolate creations with Lindt master 

chocolatier Dimo Simatos. The 

YuppieChef Online Cooking School 

offers all these and many more. 

Through a series of video tutorials, 

you can learn to master the kitchen 

from the comfort of your own kitchen, 

and at your own pace. Costs vary, but 

some come in under R100, many are 

in the R285 ballpark, and a few are 

free. Details: yuppiechef.com 

Bake away 

the afternoon 

We’ve found a pud with 

health benefits. We kid you 

not! You’ll find the recipe for 

this Roodeberg Rosé Guava 

Pavlova on getitmagazine.co.za. 

It’s easy, loaded with healthy 

guavas and seriously delicious. 


Book club 

Mothers, murderers, and raising men this May 

Mensa wines are just 

perfect for book clubs. 

This novel range has been 

made to enjoy with a good 

read ... just look at the label 

and you’ll know we’re right. 

This month we’re drinking 

the Sauvignon Blanc 2019 

– all citrus and tropical 

fruit, it’s just lovely. You can 

get it for round R80 from 

mensawines.com 

If you’re a fan of chick lit, you’re obviously a fan of Katie Fforde – so A Springtime 

Affair will be a perfect read for May. Revolving around Helena and Gilly, it’s all about 

a season of new beginnings ... particularly in the love department! Gilly runs her 

own B&B business from her much-loved family home, which she doesn’t want to 

part with – at any price. But then she meets handsome estate agent Leo, who soon 

has her wondering whether it’s finally time to sell up and try something new in life. 

Her daughter, Helena, is also embarking on a budding romance. A talented weaver, 

she’s becoming very close to her new landlord, Jago, who’s offered to help her at an 

upcoming craft fair that could give her dream career a major boost. With spring in full 

bloom, Helena and Gilly begin to ask themselves the same question ... could their new 

loves lead to their happily ever after? Light romance ... just lovely. R290 • As the wife of 

retired ship’s doctor Dr Henry Parker, Evelyn is living out her twilight years aboard the 

Golden Sunset. Every night she dresses for dinner – gown, tiara – and regales her fellow 

passengers with stories of a glamorous life travelling the world in luxury, and shows off 

her superior knowledge of ships’ customs. When Henry goes missing, Evelyn sets off 

to search every part of the grand ocean liner ... from the casino and nightclub to the 

off-limits areas. Misadventures are had, new friends are made, scandalous behaviour 

noted – all news to Evelyn. If only she could remember the events of the night before 

as clearly as she can recall the first time she met Henry on a passage from England 

to Australia in 1953, when she fell in love and abandoned her dreams of become a 

midwife to be a wife instead. Why, she wonders, is it so hard to forget some things and 

so hard to remember others? And where is Henry? Love, memories and a life well lived, 

The Last Voyage of Mrs Henry Parker by Joanna Nell is marvellous. R330. 

04 Get It • Ballito Umhlanga May 2020

A lifetime of love. Six months of 

silence. One last chance. For six 

months, Maggie and her husband, 

Frank, have lived under the same roof, 

slept in the same bed and eaten at 

the same table. All without words. In 

all those months, he hasn’t spoken 

to her. She has plenty of ideas as 

to why her husband’s gone quiet, 

but it will take a heartbreaking turn 

of events before Frank finally starts 

to unravel the secrets that have 

silenced him. With lovable, believable 

characters, The Silent Treatment by 

Abbie Greaves is about the power of 

love and the importance of leaving 

nothing unsaid. A really wonderful 

weekend read. R299. 

As a specialist in palliative medicine, 

Dr Rachel Clarke chooses to inhabit 

a place many people would find too 

tragic to contemplate. Every day 

she tries to bring care and comfort 

to those reaching the end of their 

lives and to help make dying more 

bearable. Rachel’s training was put 

to the test in 2017 when her beloved 

GP father was diagnosed with 

terminal cancer. She learned that 

nothing – even the best palliative 

care – can sugar-coat the pain of 

losing someone you love. And yet, 

she argues, in a hospice there’s more 

of what matters in life – more love, 

more strength, more kindness, more 

joy, more tenderness, more grace, 

more compassion – than you could 

ever imagine. For if there’s a difference 

between people who know they are 

dying and the rest of us, it is simply 

this: the terminally ill know their 

time is running out, while we live as 

though we have all the time in the 

world. Dear Life is an amazing book 

about the vital importance of human 

connection, by the doctor we would 

all want by our sides in a time of crisis. 

It is a love letter – to a father, to a 

profession, to life itself. Around R333. 

For more than a decade, international 

specialist parent psychologist Megan 

de Beyer has held Strong Mothers 

– Strong Sons courses ... courses 

designed to help those mums (read 

all of us!) who find parenting a teen 

boy stressful, challenging, confusing 

– and sometimes downright 

frightening. Now Megan has put her 

knowledge, advice and lessons into 

How to Raise A Man – the modern 

mother’s guide to parenting her 

teenage son. It’s crammed with 

everything from how to have better 

parenting conversations to mistakes 

we may be making to respecting 

the bro rules, along with handling 

anger (his and ours), things all boys 

must learn and how to change our 

parenting style. There’s info on all 

the issues we have to face – sex 

and alcohol, addiction and porn, 

sexting and defiance (and for all of 

those who’re thinking ‘not my boy’ … 

you’re probably wrong!). If you’ve a 

teen, or an about-to-be-teen son, we 

guarantee this will be the one book 

you won’t regret buying. R230. 

Rose Gold Watts believed she was sick for 18 years. She thought she needed 

the feeding tube, the surgeries, the wheelchair. Turns out her mother is a 

really good liar. After five years in prison, Patty Watts is finally free. She’s keen 

to put old grievances behind her, reconcile with her daughter and care for 

her new infant grandson. When Rose Gold agrees to have her mum move in, 

all appears to go well. But in truth, Patty wants her daughter back under her 

thumb. Rose Gold want’s her mum gone. Forever. In Stephanie Wrobel’s The 

Recovery of Rose Gold, it’s mother against daughter. Who’ll win? R290. 


Wish list 

We’re wishing for ... a magnificent Mothers’ Day 

Daisy plates and dahlia tart trays ... floral works of art 

Whimsical. Joyful. Works of art. We’re besotted with these handcrafted 

ceramics from Bordallo Pinheiro, each produced using traditional 

artisanal techniques. Established in Portugal in 1884 by Raphael Bordallo 

Pinheiro, an iconoclastic artist and sculptor, the company has long been known 

for its irreverent and bold nature-inspired designs, and what started as a humble, 

family-owned business has since flourished into an internationally renowned cult 

brand. Now the first dedicated Bordallo Pinheiro store outside Europe has just 

opened in Cape Town, but ... yay ... we can order online! And we’re struggling to 

know when to stop! We’re obsessed with this Maria Flor Collection – inspired 

by the beauty of spring flowers it’s all daisy desert plates and dahlia tart trays, 

hollyhock bowls and cosmos cake stands – but there are others that are 

equally delightful. The Cineraria Collection features colourful birds perched 

on intricately detailed leaves, the Countryside Leaves Collection includes 

sweet little leaf-shaped plates adorned with ladybirds, bees and dragonflies. 

Visit bordallopinheiro.com ... give yourself a while to browse ... everything’s simply 

wonderful. Hint: Start your collection this Mothers’ Day and add to it each year. 

Compiled by KYM ARGO 


Pink quartz Megan 

Drops earrings, R350 

from della.co.za 

For the mum who shouts ‘I’m counting ... One. Two. Three’ ... a Pastel 

hourglass, R295 from zarahome.com/za • We’re not always fans of faux 

plants, but there are some really realistic ones popping up .... perfect 

for a dark corner where fresh just won’t thrive. This artificial ficus pot 

plant works well. R260 from Woolworths • Sitting pretty ... we fancy 

this blush Tassels linen cushion cover, R479 from zarahome.com/ 

za • Scent your room with this hand-poured frosted pillar candle, 

R75 from Woolies • All in Good Taste is Kate Spade’s completely 

charming entertaining guide ... with tips on how to throw chic, stylish 

get-togethers. From the drinks and the flowers to the music and the 

food, this book throws out stuffy rules and invites in unpretentious 

ideas that are easy and fun, but with deliberate polish. Filled with 

how-to’s, anecdotes, menus, tips, recipes and a massive dash of style, 

the book covers all the essential lost arts, from how to shuck an oyster 

to curating a stellar guest list, from dinner-table topics to food photo 

etiquette (if there’s no IG, was there even a dinner party?). R474 from 

exclusivebooks.co.za • Fresh, whimsical, flirty ... Marc Jacobs Daisy Eau 

So Fresh is a firm favourite. R1300 from woolworths.co.za • When we’re 

housebound and can’t get fresh flowers, this artificial Isabella orchid 

keeps us happy. R 250 from woolworths.co.za 


Toasting 

success 

Property and commercial law 

stalwart Karien Hunter recently 

celebrated 40 years of success 

with her business AMC Hunter 

at a cocktail party at their Ballito 

offices. Guests, including many 

of AMC Hunter’s loyal clients and 

close friends, enjoyed drinks and 

culinary delights created by Karien’s 

sister, Elsa Buys. 

Loryn van Rooyen, Sandy Manyali, Gail Farndell, 

Manuella Botha and Ingrid Meulenaere 

Karien Hunter and Elsa Buys 

Melody and Gary Russouw 

Timia Windvogel 

and Kirsten Nobbs 

Neels du Plooy, Hennie Lamprecht and Marius de Bruyn 

Franz Wimmer and 

Tisha Jean-Louis 


Class & 

expertise 

Butch James, Ryan Pechey and Peter Cameron 

Well known North Coast property 

expert Peter Cameron and his 

business partner, former Springbok 

rugby player Butch James, 

opened the doors to their new 

property business, Cameron 

James Real Estate, at the Simbithi 

Office Park recently. 

Veloshnee Moodley 

and Andrea Drews Vern Vogt and Craig Harris Peter Mills and Maria Merckel 

Richard Chennells, Butch James and Peter Cameron 

Sarah and Ndaba Mkhize 


Sonia Gonzalez loves spending time on her Harley Davidson 


In a (wo)man’s world… 

She breaks all gender stereotypes and has proven that whatever a man can do, a 

woman can do just as well (if not better). Sonia Gonzalez is beautiful with long, curly 

hair. She is also the perfect example of a woman making her mark in what is often 

considered a ‘man’s world’. 

The Ballito resident arrives at our 

meeting on her sexy motorbike. She 

removes her helmet and releases 

her long, red curls. The motorbike, I 

learn, is a Bonneville Salt Denim Fat 

Bob Harley Davidson – a special and 

quite rare ride that Sonia bought in 

Bloemfontein last year. 

“I wasn’t allowed to get a bike 

growing up because my dad is a 

plastic surgeon and often saw what 

bike riders looked like after they had 

an accident, if they survived,” says 

Venezuelan-born Sonia. But that didn’t 

stop her from sneakily completing 

her motorcycle licence while living in 

France many years later and buying 

herself a Honda Shadow. “Being on 

a motorbike is total freedom for 

me. Knowing that your life is in your 

hands and just going for it is a real 

adrenaline rush.” 

While she was nervous to get a bike 

in SA, Sonia couldn’t resist the Fat Bob 

and now enjoys slow cruises through 

the Midlands and long, scenic drives 

to Clarens with her partner, Jacob. 

“Being on the open road really allows 

the bike to work. You feel the power 

of the machine in your hands and 

there is a direct connection to the 

engine…it’s such an energising 

feeling.” 

But it’s not just her passion for these 

powerful steel horses that sets her 

apart from the ‘average’ woman. Her 

job is definitely non-traditional for the 

fairer sex. “I have loved machines from 

a young age. Understanding how 

they work fascinates me. Growing up, I 

always took things apart and basically 

destroyed everything,” she laughs. 

When Sonia matriculated at the age 

of 16, she went on to complete her 

degree in mechanical engineering 

I wasn’t allowed to 

get a bike growing 

up because my dad 

is a plastic surgeon 

and often saw what 

bike riders looked 

like after they had 

an accident, if they 

survived. 

and obtain a diploma as an 

aeronautical technician. Then, she 

set off to England to do her masters 

in aerospace proportion and gas 

turbines. She landed a job with an 

oil and gas company in Europe and 

travelled the world working on oil rigs. 

Working in such a male-dominated 

industry meant Sonia was always met 

with surprise, regardless where she 

worked. “For Europeans, it is curious to 

see a woman in this job. Often, when 

I arrived on site, they would look at 

me and tell me they were waiting for 

the mechanical specialist. They were 

always shocked when I told them I 

was the specialist! Latin men are quite 

‘macho’ and expected me not to be 

able to handle the job. Working in 

Africa is also different. Here you have 

to earn the men’s respect.” 

Being the only woman also meant she 

felt more pressure to perform, as her 

colleagues often expected her to fail. 

At times, she had to get creative to 

keep up. “Guys are stronger physically, 

so I got a mechanical system that 

multiplies your strength to help me 

work with the heavy machinery. When 

they saw how much easier it was to 

work with this system, they all wanted 

my tools!” Her male colleagues also 

know how difficult it is to resist a 

pretty lady. “The guys would send me 

to go flash my eyelashes to get a job 

done faster! We joke about it, but it 

works!” 

Sonia had her first taste of South 

Africa in 2004, when she worked on 

a platform offshore of Mosselbay. 

While she only got to see the shore 

of SA, she was intrigued and wanted 

to return. As fate would have it, she 

fell in love with a South African and 

moved to Ballito four years ago. With 

both she and her partner working in 

the same industry, being on call 24/7 

for four weeks at a time and working 

all over the world, Sonia decided to 

take a much-needed sabbatical a year 

and a half ago. “I miss the adrenaline 

rush of working on the oil rigs. Always 

solving problems and working against 

the clock, as time is serious money. 

We work under a lot of pressure 

because the smallest mistake can end 

in catastrophe. Now, I’m keeping busy 

with less stressful things.” 

With the luxury of having more time, 

she hopes to also travel more on her 

bike and explore the country. “I would 

really like to do the Garden Route, 

cruise around the Western Cape and 

maybe even go up to to Namibia. It 

is such a big, beautiful country and I 

hope to see a lot more of it soon.” 


#MOMLIFE IN LOCKDOWN 

There is no doubt that we are all spending a lot more time on social media these days. In light 

of this, and the fact that it is Mother’s Day this month, we decided to find out what some of 

our favourite North Coast social media influencers got up to during social distancing. 

Text: LEAH SHONE 


KATE LOVEMORE 

@katelovemore 

1. Tell us about your family and 

your pre-lockdown life? My little pod 

consists of myself, my hubby Grant 

‘Twiggy’ Baker (current three times 

big wave surfer world champion) and 

my little girl Billi Bo who is 4 years old. 

We are an ocean-loving family and 

enjoy lots of time swimming, surfing 

and travelling. I am an electrologist 

and own Lovemore Aesthetics. Prelockdown 

life was pretty ‘normal’, 

school run, gym and seeing clients. 

Then after school activities or a beach 

visit. 

2. What has been the biggest 

change in your daily life? Learning 

to take each day as it comes. My 

emotions have been different every 

day. Some days I have all the patience 

in the world and other days I feel like 

a ticking time bomb. When you are 

busy it’s just ‘get up and go’, not much 

time to think. A lot of feelings have 

come up during lockdown. I’ve also 

really battled with not being able to 

go to the beach for a swim. 

3. What role do you think you play 

KAJAL MAHARAJ 

@ka_jillofalltrades 


your pre-lockdown life? I’m an 

optometrist turned stay-at-homemom. 

Days usually consist of taxiing 

kids to and from their respective 

schools and extra murals. A large part 

of my day is also allocated to cooking. 

Of course I try to keep fit and then 

squeeze in shopping and homework! 

2. What is the biggest lesson you’ve 

learnt through this process? That 

we have much more than we really 

need, and that we have so much to 

be grateful for. But mostly that I can 

overcome anything I put my mind 

to and that I’m more resilient and 

resourceful than I thought. 


as an influencer for other moms 

trying to survive this challenging 

time? My husband is a doctor and has 

been isolating from us because of his 

high exposure risk at work. Sharing 

this, I see myself as an ‘interactor’, 

rather than an influencer. I thrive 

on the connections and I hope I’ve 

as an influencer for other moms? 

First off, I never really considered 

myself as an influencer, so thank you! 

I hope to drop a little humour into 

helped moms stay grounded by 

delivering facts and dispelling anxietycausing 

myths and untruths. I also 

someone’s day. It’s okay to laugh 

at yourself or lift someone’s day by 

letting them have a laugh at you. I 

also like to keep it real! 

pride myself on being able to laugh 

at myself! 


DIANA THOMPSON 

@the_housewife_diaries 


your pre-lockdown life? We are a 

family of three: my husband Graham, 

our 3- year-old son Benjamin and 

myself. I am a housewife and stay-athome 

mum. My days revolve around 

my husband and our son. After the 

morning school run I usually hit the 

gym, then household errands and 

school run again. I make and take 

my husband a fresh lunch every day 

and we eat together at his office. 

Afternoons are for extra murals or play 

dates and we end most days with 

a drive on the golf cart around our 

estate. 


change in your daily life? The first 

change I made not to wear a watch 

and be too aware of the time. That 

has really helped. We have coffee and 

rusks in bed in the morning, which 

I love. Our days are still productive, 

with a workout and run up and down 

our driveway with our dog Ollie and 

then breakfast and learning and craft 

activities with Benjamin whilst my 

husband works from home. Between 

cooking three meals a day (and 

making umpteen snacks), washing 

dishes and cleaning up, I am yet to 

clean out the cupboards and spring 

clean the house like I had visions of 

doing! 


learnt through this process? Not to 

take anything for granted . . . a simple 

smile from a stranger, hugging a 

friend hello and even a quick trip to 

the grocery shop. I always knew that 

quality time was my love language, 

but this time together at home has 

reinforced that. 

MONIQUE DE VILLIERS- 

DELPORT 

@being_maddies_mom 


your pre-lockdown life. I am a digital 

marketing specialist and my husband 

Brett is a software developer. We have 

a four-year-old daughter, Maddison. 

I am also a professional blogger and 

social influencer, with over 18 500 

followers across my social media 

platforms. Our pre-lockdown life was 

all about routine. We work full time 

and Maddie spends half the day at 

school and the rest with our full time 

domestic. Brett and I and take turns 

taking her to extra-murals. We love 

family date nights at restaurants and 

braais with friends. 


learnt through this process? Grace! 

To accept it, extend it and relish in it. 

The massive shock that has been our 

new reality has been frightening for 

us all. Life as we knew it changed in an 

instant and the fear, anxiety and panic 

settled in. Amidst it all though, I keep 

reminding myself to extend grace 


towards my husband, my daughter 

and most importantly, myself. 


as an influencer for other moms? 

Moms are spending more time on 

social media than ever before, seeking 

comfort and looking to relate to 

other moms. I believe it is hugely 

important not to portray an unrealistic 

state of being. It is okay to admit we 

are failing, we are scared, we aren’t 

coping...because chances are we are 

all feeling the same way and can find 

comfort in knowing we can relate to 

each other.

DOMINIQUE ROUX 

@domi.roux.yoga / @ 

ourafricanfootprints 

1. Tell us about your family and your 

pre-lockdown life. We are a family 

of five: my husband Brett, our almost 

3-year-old son, Roan and our two 

French bulldog children, d’Artagnan 

and Bijou. Brett and I run a travel 

business called Our African Footprints, 

curating travel into Africa and the 

Indian Ocean Islands. My days are a 

balancing act between my two roles! 

Late afternoons are sacred family time 

for us, with long sunset walks with our 

frenchies. After Roan is asleep Brett 

and I end our day with a meditation. 


change in your daily life? We design 

travel for a living and with both the 

travel ban and lockdown our business 

(like many others) has been put on 

hold. Instead of curating travel, we are 

making arrangements for our current 

travellers during this unforeseen time, 

as well as being playschool teacher 

and home-maker. I try to remember 

that it is not about the need to always 

‘do’, but rather that it is important to 

just ‘be’. 


learnt through this process? I read a 

quote recently which really sums up 

one important lesson: ‘Sometimes the 

fastest way to get there is to go slow’. 

This resonated with me. Sometimes 

life slows us down because it is 

exactly what we need in order to 

re-focus, decompress and to prioritise 

what is truly important for us as well 

as the collective. 

MARGARET WESTERHOF 

@magssouthafrica 

1. Tell us about your family and your 

pre-lockdown life. Our daily life was 

all about routine and deadlines. Rush 

from 5.30am with school run and 

gym and then off to interior design 

meetings, site meetings and supplier 

meetings. Voicenotes while driving, 

answering school WhatsApp’s and 

then changing caps and my role at 

East Coast radio. Home to my son for 

bed and story time and then finally 

settling with a glass of wine and a big 

fat sigh! 


change in your daily life? So 

much! And I know it’s the same for 

other parents . . . simple things like 

not being able to jump in your car 

and having to navigate your way 

around getting food and essentials. 

Homeschooling and working at the 

same time (HOLY MOLY!) and figuring 

out video meetings and being patient 

with those who are not tech-savvy. 

Easter weekend hurt for us. We are 

a huge family who love to hug and 

fight all the time, and we are always 

around each other. Not being with my 

family has been hard. 


learnt through this process? That 

we become extremely self-centred in 

our lives (I’m talking about myself too). 

Often I have had to sit myself down 

and look outwards, realising its not a 

‘me, me, me’ situation. Everyone is in 

this and there are families without 

food and even kids in my son’s class 

who cannot do work due to lack 

of resources. I have been forced to 

stop being so damn self-centred and 

put my eyes on those who support. 

Ultimately, lockdown has taught me 

to be a lot less selfish and a lot more 

patient! 


Posh pooch 

portraits 

If you believe your bougie 

poodle is a reincarnation 

of Marie Antoinette, or 

your dashing Doberman is 

the spirit animal of Game 

of Thrones hero, Jon Snow, 

then you better sign your 

furries up for a pet portrait. 

Text: ELANA WAGNER 

Umhlanga musician Bruce McNabb 

(formerly a member of a heavy metal 

band called Become the Watcher) left 

the corporate world to start an online 

work wear company, while being 

a single father to his four-year-old 

daughter, Morgan. 

He is also the founder of Pet Portraits, 

a quaint, online business that started 

as a quirky birthday present for his 

brother. “My brother refers to his 

dog, Billy, as Sir William of Everton. 

I decided to do a portrait of Billy 

that represented his name as a 

birthday present,” says Bruce, who has 

brought his handsome 

companion, a twoyear-old 

Schnorkie 

(Schnauzer cross 

Yorkie) named 

Duke along 

for our coffee 

meeting. 

Never 

did Bruce 

imagine that 

he would 

suddenly be 

flooded with 

requests for 

similar ‘pet portraits’. 

After doing a little 

research Bruce realised that 

no one in South Africa did these kinds 

of portraits and this was a gap for him 

to take. “I have always wanted to start 

a fun business as a hobby and this 

was the perfect opportunity.” 

Luckily, having a portrait made does 

not require your pet to sit still and 

majestically stare into the distance 

while being painted. Instead, you 

simply pop to their website, choose 

the body style that you think best 

suits your pooch’s personality, submit 

the name and send through three 

different head shots of your pet. “I 

work with two designers and together 

we create the digital artwork. We like 

to make each portrait unique, so we 

sometimes tweak the body a bit and 

then choose the head shot that we 

feel best represents your pet.” 

The next step is the frame – an 

important feature to complete the 

look. “You can’t have a renaissance 

painting with a modern frame. I highly 

recommend going for a vintage frame 

look.” Once the portrait is complete, 

it is packaged and sent to the doting 

dog owner or ‘cat servant’, as 

Bruce says refers to them 

after having done a 

portrait of two elegant 

cats, transforming 

them into a king 

and a knight. They 

even did a portrait 

for a celebrity pet, 

Bowie, whose mom is ECR presenter 

Jane Linley-Thomas. A second portrait 

has already been commissioned by 

the extra-ordinary radio personality. 

“It’s really great to see clients returning 

for more portraits. We are currently 

working on new themes to keep the 

experience fresh and exciting. Our 

new Game of Bones theme has been 

quite a hit. We have already done a 

Cersei Lannister and a Jon Snow.” 

What he loves most about the little 

business is how happy it makes his 

clients. “People love their pets and 

seeing how much they enjoy the 

portraits of their pets is so satisfying 

for me. It is a real feel-good little 

business. It is often quite emotional 

too, especially if people have made 

the portrait as a tribute to their pet 

once they have passed away. It 

immortalises them in the home.” 

Details: www.petportraits.co.za or 

Instagram: @petportraitssa 


ONLINE CONSULTATIONS 

AND HOME VISITS DURING 

LOCK DOWN. 

MEDICAL AID RATES. 

MEET THE TEAM 

DR MELIZE DE VILLIERS 

072 699 3062 

DR TESS BLIGNAUT 

082 929 4930 

DR WARREN DEEVES 

076 655 6364 

PSYCHOLOGIST 

LISA GRANT-STUART 

072 770 8202 

NEW MEDICAL PRACTICE OPENING IN BALLITO SOON 

WWW.HEALTHMATTERSBALLITO.CO.ZA 

REGENCY BUILDING, DOUGLAS CROWE STREET 

health matters ballito 

healthmattersballito 

melizedevilliers@gmail.com

A youth orchestra of our own 

Music brings people together. It gives hope, lifts spirits and opens up a world of 

possibilities. What more could we ask for then, than for our youth to have their very 

own Dolphin Coast Youth Orchestra? Ballito composer, conductor, orchestrator and 

songwriter Kelsey Rogers is making this happen. 

he Dolphin Coast Youth 

Orchestra (DCYO) is an 

opportunity for musicians 

within the community to 

come together, learn and 

share their passion for music. 

This is according to its founder, highly 

experienced musician Kelsey Rogers, 

who grew up on the North Coast. As 

a former Umhlali Prep and Crawford 

North Coast pupil, Kelsey says she 

knew from about the age of 16 that 

she wanted to make a career out of 

her music. 

“I was lucky enough to be given 

the opportunity to study at the 

prestigious Berklee College of Music 

in the USA. I pursued my music career 

and graduated in Composition and 

Conducting at Berklee in the US 

before going on to attain my Master’s 

Degree in Composing Music for 

Film, TV and Interactive Media at the 

Berklee Master’s Campus in Spain.” 

A full-time composer, Kelsey works 

with international clients from around 

the world, but says she now wants to 

share her passion for music with the 

Dolphin Coast youth. 

“Our vision is to create a space for 

music to be played and experienced 

together. Playing in an orchestra, for 

every young musician, will enhance 

their cognitive abilities and provide 

them an opportunity to perform and 

improve on so many levels. My desire 

is to share my knowledge with the 

musicians and show them the endless 

possibilities within the music industry.” 

The main purpose for starting the 

orchestra, Kelsey says, is to provide the 

opportunity for local musicians to get 

involved and come together. “After all 

the hours and dedication they spend 

alone practicing on their instruments, 

they can now come together and 

experience a new aspect, purpose 

and direction for their playing. 

And while it may seem like the 

current global crisis and need for 

social distancing may get in the way 

of this, Kelsey is determined not to 

see that happen. “Our orchestra will 

continue regardless of the current 

situation. We are still playing together, 

we’re just doing it online. I believe 

that this is a time where music can 

unite us. It’s a great time in fact for 

others to join, as it gives the youth 

an outlet and a way to do what they 

love, while still allowing them to stay 

at home. It gives them something to 

look forward to as well when school 

does return and we can go back to 

meeting in person. 

The DCYO comes together every 

Thursday from 4.30pm to 6pm at 

Ashton International School in 

Ballito (or via an online application 

where they can all play together 

without delays). They have a range 

of instruments, including clarinets, 

violins, saxophones, piano, guitar/ 

bass, percussion and drums. “We 

come together to learn new pieces, 

how to work together to understand 

what our role is when we plan and 

how to harness and express different 

emotions, etc.” The orchestra is open 

to youngsters from the age of 7 to 21 

years old. 

Details: dcyorchestra@gmail.com 


HOME SPA 

Can’t get to the spa? Take an afternoon for me-time and spoil yourself at home 

The best spoil, we think, is a great 

night’s sleep, which is essential for 

cellular regeneration and restoration. 

Give nature a helping hand with 

Filorga NCEF-Night Mask ... an ultra 

regenerating night mask which will have 

you waking up with a visibly younger 

skin. R899 from Clicks and Edgars. 

Comfy clothes rule. Keep warm and cosy in this v-neck knit and casual 

pants ... perfect for lounging around. Both from zara.co.za 

Peach, orange, gardenia ... fragrance your 

bathroom with this Pure Gardenia reed 

diffuser which, left open, lasts about a month. 

R399 from zarahome.com 


Gypsy Water is a glamorisation of the 

Romany way of life, and the scent of fresh 

soil, deep forests and camp fires 

illustrates the dream of a free, 

colourful lifestyle close to nature. 

Use on warm skin as you get out 

of the bath or shower. Massively 

desirable. R1760 from skins. 

co.za 

This Chamomile body soap has 

essential oils – mandarin, lemon 

and chamomile – to help you 

reach a state of deep relaxation. 

The olive and coconut oil are 

deeply nourishing. R229 from 

zarahome.com 

Laura Mercier 

Repair Creme firms 

and rejuvenates – 

and with argan oil to 

intensely moisturise, 

it’s a great option 

for an at-home spoil. 

R2050 from 

skins.co.za 

Gorgeously honey scented NUXE Reve 

de Miel face & body ultra rich cleansing 

gel is perfect for dry and sensitive skin ... an 

everyday pampering cleanser. R390 from 

woolworths.co.za. 

All natural, Skin Creamery 

Facial Cleansing Powder 

is a magic dust you can 

use daily as an exfoliating 

cleanser or weekly as a 

restorative face mask by 

just adding raw honey. 

R341 from skincreamery. 

co.za • Can’t do a spoil 

without a scented candle. 

Luxurious Jo Malone 

London Red Roses 

home candle, R950 from 

woolworths.co.za 

After your bath, slip on a pair of faux 

fur criss-cross strap slippers. R599 

from zarahome.com 

Compiled by: KYM ARGO 


YOU ARE 

THEIR 

INSPIRATION 

Dinosaurs, flower gardens, 

amazon jungles, pirate ships 

and fairy palaces are just some 

of the amazingly creative and 

inspirational things that you’ll 

find on Creative Park. You can 

download pictures to colour in, 

mazes to figure out, iron-on t-shirt 

print designs, and all kinds of DIY 

crafts that you can imagine. 

Simply download the Canon 

Creative Park App and let your 

imagination inspire you. 

https://creativepark.canon/ 

canon.co.za 

Live for the story_

Treat mum 

Amazing gifts for mum ... and she can 

win them all (hope she shares!) 

When you’ve a mum worth treating (oh, we do!), or if 

you’re a mum who deserves a spoil (yip ... we’re up for that 

too), then you really should make the treat something 

especially worthwhile. And oh boy, have we got the 

treat to beat all others to give away this May. 

• For the glam mum, one of the gorgeous, 

limited edition pieces from Della Jewellery, 

designed by Pippa de Charmoy, is an 

exceptional gift ... one she’ll love, and wear, 

for years. Eye-catching earrings, statement 

bracelets, loads of semi-precious stones ... we 

adore them all! Details: della.co.za • Massively 

desirable are Heartstring beaded necklaces from 

the The Makery Collection ... feminine accessories 

from South African designer team Heidi Gresty and Jacquie 

Myburgh Chemaly. They also have earrings and bracelets ... a set 

of which would make mum very, very happy. Trust us! Details: 

themakerycollection.com • For mums who know natural 

is best and embrace all things organic, a bag 

of Lula Fox cosmetics would be 

a great gift. Certified organic, 

vegan and beautiful. Looking 

gorgeous never felt this good. 

Details: lulafox.life • Home-lovers would 

appreciate one of Volpes’ luxurious and 

cosy Shimmersoft throws ... the perfect 

accessories for the back of a sofa or the end 

of the bed, just within reach to wrap round 

shoulders on a chilly day. Details: volpes.co.za 

• If mum’s up for a party (yes, please!), offer her a 

Copper Head London Dry Gin. Juniper + coriander 

seeds + angelica + cardamom + orange peel = the 

perfect gin for sundowners • Prefer the idea 

of locally forged fynbos and honeybush? 

Then Bloedlemoen (pronounced Blue’d 

Le Moon) is a superb choice ... the first 

blood orange gin in the world and the 

fruit is locally sourced from growing 

partners in the Cape. And seriously, what 

would a gift be without bubbles? Not 

much of a gift at all. So add a bottle of 

premium, exceptionally-made, genuine 

Italian Mionetto Prosecco. to your gift. 

Details: trumanandorange.com. We have a 

fantabulous hamper to give away this May 

... something special from each of these 

brilliant brands. To stand in line to win, 

simply visit our Get It National Magazines 

page on Facebook, find our Treat Mum 

post, tag a friend and you’ll be in the draw. 

Entries close May 31. 


HEALTHY CHOICES 

Instead of baking endless banana loaves (what’s up with that anyway?) and then 

agonizing over all the ‘bad stuff’ you’ve eaten while social distancing, why not take a 

few tips from North Coast meal plan designer and nutritional coach Wanda Du Toit. 

Text: LEAH SHONE 

There is no question that we have all 

been spending a lot more time in our 

kitchens lately - we’ve kind of had to! 

The question though, is whether or 

not we’ve been spending it correctly. 

Wanda, or MamaWanda as she’s now 

known, believes all this extra time in 

our kitchens is providing us with the 

ideal opportunity to fuel our bodies 

with things that will make us stronger 

and healthier. 

Having walked her own difficult path 

with weight fluctuations and fad 

dieting, Wanda says her biggest goal 

is to help others break bad habits and 

become the best possible versions of 

themselves. 

Originally from Durban, Wanda 

lost the lining in her stomach after 

being given four antibiotics without 

probiotics when she was 14 years 

old. “I battled for the next ten years 

to digest most foods. My mom and 

I went on a journey to try and heal 

my gut, but I struggled to follow the 

correct way of eating, which made the 

healing process much longer than it 

should have been,” she says. 

After many years and much reading 

and experimentation, Wanda has 

finally repaired her relationship with 

food and found freedom in her new 

lifestyle choices. And now she wants 

to help others find their way too. 

Her goal, she says, is to help people 

move away from diets, hunger and 

food obsessions and ultimately 

discover a new, healthier lifestyle. “By 

choosing low carb foods and good 

fats I managed to regulate my weight, 

improve my health and have loads 

more energy than before! And now 

my clients (and even some of my 

family members) are experiencing the 

same results!” 

Wanda offers a variety of services, 

including consultations, personalised 

meal plans, recipes, treats, planning, 

prepping and inspiration. “My 

nutritional lifestyle has been a long 

journey of learning and researching 

over the last 20-odd years. I don’t have 

any formal training, but I love finding 

solutions, seeing people well and free 

from sickness.” 

Working with her clients to choose 

the best recipes and meal plans for 

their blood types (in a low carb, good 

fat table), Wanda helps them find a 

plan that is practical and easy for them 

to stick to. 

“I give them the personally packaged 

vitamins and Kombucha for the 

mornings, I supply them with the 

cleanest and best protein powder, 

cacao nutty muesli and even protein 

Belgian chocolate biscuits, which are 

so delicious!” 

Wanda believes this is the perfect time 

for people to make changes for the 

better when it comes to their eating 

habits. “There couldn’t be a better 

time than this to make some changes 

health wise. A healthy gut will put you 

ahead of the rest by far!” 

Details:http://crossoversa.co.za/ 

mama-wanda/ 


MamaWanda’s healthy 

recipes to try at home: 

BAKED SALMON PATTIES WITH 

PEPPER MAYONNAISE 

Serves 4 

(You will need to cook about two 

medium sweet potatoes for this 

recipe) 

415g can salmon, drained 

1 cup mashed sweet potato 

2 tbsp coconut or almond milk 

1 small (80g) onion, grated 

½ tsp grated lime rind 

1 tbsp chopped fresh chives 

1 tsp chopped fresh dill 

1 egg white 

¼ cup (40g) almond flour 

PEPPER MAYONNAISE 

1 medium (200g) red peppers 

½ cup (125ml) MamaWanda salad 

dressing 

1 tsp Xylitol 

¼ cup (60ml) double cream yogurt 

1 tsp chopped fresh dill 

Wanda du Toit encourages us to use 

this time at home to eat healthily 

and look after ourselves 

1) Combine salmon, potato, milk, 

onion, rind, herbs and egg white in a 

bowl; mix well. Shape mixture into 8 

patties, coat with polenta, place on 

oven tray coated with coconut oil; 

refrigerate for 30 minutes. 

2) Bake, uncovered, in hot oven about 

15 minutes or until browned and hot, 

turn over halfway through cooking. 

Serve with pepper mayonnaise 

3) Pepper mayonnaise: quarter 

pepper, remove seeds and 

membranes. Grill pepper, skin side 

up, until skin blisters and blackens. 

Peel skin, chop peppers. Blend or 

process pepper, dressing and Xylitol 

until smooth. Add yogurt, process 

until combined. Stir in dill. 

MAMAWANDAS PROTEIN PAN- 

CAKE RECIPE 

3 sachets of XO protein powder 

1 tsp baking powder 

2 tsp Xylitol 

1 large egg 

1 tsp Macadamian nut oil or melted 

butter 

4 Tbsp water or coconut/almond 

cream/milk 

½ tsp vanilla extract 

Mix dry ingredients. 

Beat egg, oil and water well. 

Mix together. 


Text: ELANA WAGNER 

HEALTH IN A JAR 

After an unexpected Hodgkin’s Lymphoma diagnosis at only 20 years old, Catherine 

Clark felt she had the opportunity to start again when she was declared cancer free. 

She knew that this time, she wanted to treat herself better. 

When she embarked on her new 

healthier life focus, the chartered 

accountant at HG Physio in Umhlanga 

made it her mission to learn and 

research different schools of thought 

and gather as much information as 

possible. 

Catherine had heard a lot of talk 

about collagen and bone broth, 

which sparked her interest. “We no 

longer get enough collagen in our 

diets because we don’t eat enough 

collagen meats the way our greatgreat 

grandparents did. Unlike our 

ancestors, we don’t consume the 

animal from head to tail, which means 

we are missing out on the majority of 

the collagen that is found in the parts 

we no longer eat,” says the mother of 

11-year-old Josh and eight-year-old 

Ella. 

As you age, she explains, the collagen 

in your body decreases and the ‘signs 

of ageing’ start to kick in. “As early 

as your 30s, you may already start 

experiencing weakening muscles, 

joint pain, wrinkles and perhaps even 

gastrointestinal problems. These are 

not only symptoms of getting older, 

they can also be key indicators that 

your body lacks collagen.” Catherine 

was starting to feel the signs of early 

onset arthritis in her fingers and 

was keen to try collagen and bone 

broth to see if it would help. “I saw 

dramatic changes from the collagen, 

but struggled with the bone broth. 

It seemed ridiculous to boil bones all 

the time! I don’t have the time and it 

smells. You also have to be so careful 

where the bones come from.” 

She discovered that America had a 

good, powdered bone broth, which 

was a game changer. “I don’t digest 

meat well, so it was life changing for 

me to have this protein form. Being 

able to add it to a smoothie, soup or 

stew made it so easy to incorporate 

into a busy lifestyle, while knowing it 

win 

is giving my family and me what we 

needed.” 

Thrilled with the positive effects of 

the powdered form, Catherine felt 

frustrated that these additive, gluten 

and sugar-free products were not 

available locally. She decided to 

change that. “I had a driving passion 

to start a business and help educate 

and encourage people to realise 

that they could also reach their full 

potential in health and wellness.” The 

Harvest Table was born in 2018 and 

her dream was starting to become a 

reality. “Building a business based on 

integrity and with a greater purpose 

than financial gain is a non-negotiable 

for me. Our vision is to not only 

create beautiful, pure, wholesome 

products that are hand-packaged 

earth-consciously, but to also create 

employment and shift the lives of our 

customers positively by educating 

them and helping them to make 

better food choices daily.” 

Besides the collagen granules and 

pure bone broth powder, Harvest 

Table have now extended their range 

to include mushroom powders, too. 

“Mushrooms are powerful for cancer 

prevention and heart and brain 

health, so we are really excited about 

this new product.” 

As a momtrepreneur, Catherine says 

the constant juggle between roles 

and the challenges of owning your 

own business make for tough times 

that require her to dig extra deep 

to stay positive. It is at these times 

when her clients’ positive feedback 

really motivates her to continue. 

“Hearing that people are doing better 

makes everything worth it. Making 

our health a priority should not wait 

until we are older and our quality of 

life starts deteriorating. Don’t wait for 

aching joints or sagging skin to start 

adding collagen to your diet. Luckily, 

you can now do it without blocking 

your nose to swallow a pig’s heart to 

get your dose of collagen!” 

Details: Stockists: Umhlanga 

Spar, Park Square Spar and Mount 

Edgecombe Spar, Azhiko and 

Lifestyle Health or shop online: www. 

harvesttable.co.za, Instagram: @the_ 

harvest_table 

WIN one of The Harvest Table starter 

kits valued at R775 each! Enter 

on our website. www.getitmagazine.co.za/ 

ba llito-umhlanga/ 


BRINGING BUSINESS HOME 

When the whole world is called to stay at (and work from) home, functional and inviting 

home office spaces suddenly become crucial. We caught up with two North Coast moms 

and interior designers, who recently created an inspiring office space in a local home. 

Having both worked and travelled 

abroad extensively, Dandelion 

Designs owners Caryn Overton and 

Katherine McKintoshw have a wealth 

of experience and skill in the art of 

making a space both functional and 

beautiful. 

When the two met in Mtunzini in 

2014 and then decided to join forces 

in 2016, they quickly realised how 

their unique strengths were able to 

complement each other. “We have 

a shared work ethic and passion 

for what we do. Our different styles 

and strengths allow for a fuller 

understanding and interpretation 

of what our clients want. We work 

together on all our projects,” says 

Caryn. 

As working mothers, both say owning 


their own business is a blessing, 

allowing them the flexibility they 

need to be able to be involved and 

present in their kids’ lives. 

AN INSPIRING SPACE 

One of their most recent projects 

was a revamp of a home office for a 

working mother who owns a beautiful 

ladies active wear brand. A surfer who 

is passionate about the ocean, the 

client wanted to create an inspiring 

and calming home office that could 

double as a small showroom for her 

range. “Drawing inspiration from the 

ocean, we found this amazing wall 

mural, which made our client feel 

like she was literally in her ‘happy 

place’... at back line on a surfboard,” 

says Caryn. “We wanted the space 

to be beautiful but also completely 

functional. We worked with the client 

and a local furniture manufacturer 

(Howie & Co) to design two lovely 

storage units with hanging rails to 

display her range, as well as shelves 

for personal photos and special items.” 

The team re-sanded the beautiful 

parquet floors and added a huge 

cork wall for her to use as her ‘think 

wall’ for brainstorming new ranges 

and adding inspirational quotes and 

images. They also added a big Ficus 

plant to give the feeling of bringing 

nature indoors. “The project had to be 

very carefully organized and installed, 

as the client needed to be working 

throughout the process. 

Details: Dandelion Designs: www. 

dandelionsa.co.za; 072 825 8418

The team worked with the client and a local 

furniture manufacturer Howie & Co to design 

storage units with hanging rails to display her range. 

DANDELION’S TOP TIPS FOR A 

HOME OFFICE SPACE: 

When planning your home office, take 

time to ask yourself these five very 

important questions: 

1. Where are you going to have your 

home office set up? 

This needs to be an area that is 

(preferably) away from your living 

spaces (bedroom, lounge, kitchen) 

to allow for little distraction when 

working. This also helps to separate 

downtime from work time. If we have 

our offices near living areas, you may 

be tempted to ‘just quickly check 

your email’ or ‘just finish that one 

task’. There also needs to be sufficient 

electrical supplies and good WiFi 

reception in this area. 

2. What are all the practical items 

you require in your work space? 

Do you need a computer or laptop? A 

printer? Stationery, a diary and a desk 

planner? Keep these to the absolute 

‘must haves’ to ensure you keep your 

office space clear and uncluttered. 

3. What will you be doing in your 

office? 

Are you a creative who needs areas to 

doodle, make notes and pin ideas? Do 

you have samples you need on hand? 

Do you need to have access to files 

through out the day? Do you need a 

calender or scheduling board? This 

will affect how you plan your space 

and storage. 

4. Will you be having online meetings? 

This will determine your office 

backdrop, which will need to be clean 

and professional. 

5. WHAT INSPIRES YOU? 

This will help with creating a space 

that makes you feel motivated and 

comfortable. 


Indigo autumn 

Bring shades of blue and touches of metallic into your 

home for spaces that ooze a calm and collected air 

Imagine a table setting with 

out-of-this-world Moon crockery. 

Gorgeous. Individually priced from 

R95, available from weylandts.co.za 

Wall statements 

... beautiful 

imperfection 

wall art ... all 

muted tones 

on linen, with a 

wooden frame. 

R10999 from 

weylandts.co.za 

Cosy blankets 

for when the 

nights turn cool ... 

ribbed navy knit 

blanket, R1799 and 

geometric blanket, 

R799, both from 

zarahome.com/sa 

Contemporary brass 

tray table, originally 

designed for display 

of whisky decanters 

and cut crystal 

glasses. R10 000 from 

anatomydesign.co.za 

Whether you have a sea or land view, 

this restful all white room with touches of peaceful 

blue works beautifully in a bedroom. This space designed by 

the talented Private House team. Details: privatehouse.co.za 


Polka dot tapas bowls are not only 

lovely decor pieces but jolly useful, 

too. R69.95 from Woolies. 

Blue and white geometric zigzag cushion cover, 

R799 from zarahome.com/za 

For a 

bottle 

of wine 

that’s 

extra 

special, we 

love this 

Lapiz bottle 

stopper, R145 from 

weylandts.co.za 

Breakfast, dinner, or an 

afternoon tea in bed. 

Folding tray, R999 from 

zarahome.com/za Glass bud vase, R9.99 

from Mr Price Home 

Compiled by: KATE ARGO 


DO YOU HAVE AN 

AFTER SOCIAL 

DISTANCING GOAL? 

If not why not let it be to come out of this social distancing 

2020 looking completely refreshed, revived and to reverse 

the aging clock? 

Institute of Aesthetics have so much to offer, accommodating 

all budgets… many are feeling anxious, stressed, tired and 

needing ‘me time’ (after being cooped up at home), you need 

self-care, rejuvenation something we can offer to get your glow 

back! While we are all encouraged to maintain social distancing 

and work from home as much as possible - it may be the right 

time for some to have a procedure with a little bit of down 

time - as you won’t be socialising and can stick to the 

recommended pre and post procedure care. No need to worry 

about bruising or a few scabs - therefore procedures like 

plasma pen, threads may be more of an option, and some 

peeling won’t be a problem. It’s an ideal time to start an 

aesthetic / skincare journey. This takes time to start seeing 

significant results but after 3 months you will see the results. 

A tired, angry, anxious look? We have you covered, Science 

suggests botulinum toxin / wrinkle relaxing injections can 

improve your mood and enhance positivity and ward off 

depression, give it a try with us! 

RADIO FREQUENCY SPECIALS : 

Pricing is per a session , book six or more 

session and receive a further 20% off. 

Eyes - R 250 per session 

Full face - R600 per session 

Full arms/tummy/full legs - R500 per session 

Combined therapy with peels offered, ask for 

our latest specials, a minimum of 3 sessions will 

be needed. 

Something great for all skin types, skincare 

beginners who have never had a peel, dull, 

sensitive, dry skin as it is gentle, moisturising 

and a great introductory peel is the Mesoestetic 

lactic acid peel with LED therapy - R500. 

INSTITUTE OF AESTHETIC OPTIONS 

Shop 2E & 3E, The Pearls, 4th Floor, 6 Lagoon Drive, Umhlanga Rocks 

(e) office@aestheticoptions.co.za | (t) 087 806 8700 | 087 807 8017 | (w) www.aestheticoptions.co.za

Photo: Peppermint Pix 

Photography, www. 

peppermintpix.co.za, 

peppermintpixstudio@ 

gmail.com, 073 244 8854 

BRIDAL 

feature 

Whether you’re planning (or re-planning) your special day, or you have 

just got engaged and need a little bridal inspiration, we’ve rounded up 

some beautiful imagery, gorgeous trends and advice and information 

from a few North Coast Wedding experts.

The happiest of days 

Bubbly, full of enthusiasm and focus and absolutely passionate about what she does . . . 

meet award-winning wedding coordinator and successful business owner, Joelene Botha. 

You might think it a bit odd that 

someone with a degree in history and 

psychology from Rhodes University 

and a background in corporate 

sales decided to become a wedding 

planner. But then you obviously 

haven’t met Oh Happy Day founder 

and owner, Joelene. 

Joelene absolutely loves everything 

about weddings. Proof of this might 

be the fact that she has been a 

bridesmaid 13 times ... or the fact that 

she and her husband Stefan actually 

had two weddings! We caught up 

with the former Zululand girl to 

find out a little more about why she 

decided to ‘follow her bliss’. 

WHEN AND HOW DID YOU FIND 

YOUR WAY INTO THE WEDDING 

INDUSTRY? 

I think my love for events and 

weddings began when I was a little 

girl. I always dreamed of being a 

flower girl (which little girl doesn’t?). 

I often joke now that I’m going to 

overtake Katherine Heigl in the movie 

27 Dresses, because I’ve been a 

bridesmaid more than 13 times! I also 

worked on events at varsity and in my 

corporate career, all of which helped 

me understand the fundamentals of 

event architecture and what it takes 

to pull off the perfect celebration. 

TALK US THROUGH YOUR CAREER 

THUS FAR. 

I played with the idea of starting a 

wedding business for many years 

before I decided to leave my fulltime 

job as a medical rep and take 

the plunge in 2014. It takes grit and 

guts to start your own business. I did 

it alone, but with the support of my 

friends and family, who had been 

quietly ‘pushing’ me for a while. As 

the demand for work grew, so did 

my team. We are now a company full 

of dynamic creatives, each with their 

own unique skill set and passions. I 

wanted Oh Happy Day 


to offer brides logistical help with 

their wedding planning, as well as 

encouraging them emotionally. We 

offer a stress-free, bespoke planning 

experience, and we aren’t afraid 

to step out of a perceived ‘typical 

wedding scenario’ and set the trend 

rather than follow it. 

WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST ABOUT 

WHAT YOU DO? 

Serving others is an honour and it’s 

the part I love most about my job, 

providing guidance to my team to 

support our clients. My team and I get 

to be ‘silent bridesmaids’ almost every 

weekend! Creatively, I love seeing the 

process come together. Our design, 

floral and coordination teams all work 

so well together and the end result is 

always a happy couple! 

WHAT, IN YOUR OPINION, ARE 

THE TOP THREE ELEMENTS TO 

CONSIDER WHEN PLANNING YOUR 

WEDDING? 

I would say the overall aesthetic 

first. This encompasses every design 

element, including the colour palette 

and florals to the stationery, cake and 

cocktail selection....the list is endless. 

But it starts with an overall aesthetic. 

The right venue and photographer 

are crucial – research is key here! 

Lastly, making sure the day runs 

smoothly and that everyone knows 

where they need to be and when. 

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE PART 

OF A WEDDING? 

Watching the ceremony take place 

and seeing the groom’s face when 

he sees his bride walking down the 

aisle. It’s a reminder to me that the 

bigger picture is always the marriage 

that comes after the wedding. It’s a 

beautiful thing! 

TELL US A BIT ABOUT YOUR OWN 

WEDDING? 

Stef and I actually had two weddings! 

Our first one was a ‘legal ceremony’ 

with just our immediate family in the 

same chapel my parents were married 

in, on the day of Stef’s parent’s 

wedding anniversary. This was a 

very special day for us symbolically. 

We did this two days before our 

actual wedding, which took place 

in the Midlands. We wanted a friend 

to officiate our ceremony, but he 

wasn’t ordained, which is why we got 

married twice! 

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE TOP 

BRIDAL TRENDS WE’LL SEE THIS 

SEASON? 

I think florals have come back in 

a lovely way. Brides appreciate 

the investment of flowers in their 

wedding designs and I think we’ll see 

more focus on statement ceremony 

installations (instead of the usual 

floral arch) . . . think arbor pillars, pew 

gardens and floating flower installs 

with only smaller touches of greenery. 

I personally don’t believe that pampas 

grass is still a thing. It did pave the way 

for more interesting manipulations 

of dried botanicals though, and 

there is a definite dried foilage and 

minimalistic trend emerging, which 

we love! Sometimes less is more . . 

and I find the neutral colour palette 

so refreshingly new and interesting 

to explore. Then, with the current 

impact of COVID-19, I think there will 

be a more pronounced shift from 

large-scale wedding celebrations 

to micro-weddings . . . think 

intimate gatherings with a focus 

on personalized touches and even 

live streaming weddings over social 

media platforms! 

Details: www.ohhappyday.co.za 


Photography: The Shank Tank | www.theshanktank.com | 083 233 9962 | Instagram: @theshanktank 

Vintage 

bridal bliss 

Inspired by warm Autumn colours, textured florals 

and pure vintage charm, this exquisite bridal shoot 

showcases perfectly what the culmination of creativity, 

skill and experience in the bridal industry can result in. 


Dress & studio space: Julia Ferrandi Bridal | juliaferrandi@gmail.com | Instagram: @juliaferrandibridal 

The dress 

The lady behind the elegant 

wedding dress on our cover 

is the talented, Ballitobased 

fashion designer, 

Julia Ferrandi, who, 

together with her mom, 

carefully crafts bespoke 

bridal gowns. We asked 

these local experts for their 

tips on how to go about 

finding the perfect dress to 

wear when you say “I do”. 

1. How do you feel about following 

trends when it comes to designing 

a wedding dress? My philosophy 

when designing a wedding dress is 

to acknowledge the current trends 

without overly following them. I 

recommend asking yourself this 

question: will I love it in five years? 

2. Do you think the lockdown and 

current crisis will affect wedding 

trends in the near future? In light of 

the current crisis, I predict there will 

be a renewed appreciation for the 

simple pleasure of gathering with 

our loved ones. This may mean that 

weddings will become more intimate 

affairs. This trend excites me because 

it encourages couples to consider 

what a wedding celebration means to 

them rather than looking to what has 

been done before. As we all find our 

way post pandemic this new climate 

will bring with it equally refreshing 

ideas. 

3. Choosing a wedding dress is 

often overwhelming as there are so 

many options...what advice would 

you give the bride-to-be when 

it comes to narrowing down the 

decision? In amongst the loud noise 

of social media and online platforms 

that serve us endless ideas and peer 

pressure to keep up with the trends, I 

believe it is important to take it in and 

then stop looking. The goal is to look 

YOUR best – It’s that simple. Embrace 

your unique qualities and find a dress 

that feels the most like YOU. 

4. Let’s talk about styles: from big 

ballgown to low back and A-line . . . 

which styles are the most flattering 

for which body shapes? The two 

most important features when it 

comes to a wedding dress are: colour 

and silhouette. If you get these two 

things right, your skin colour radiates 

and your body shape will look and 

feel well balanced. Generally speaking, 

the silhouettes that work well are 

ones that enhance your natural 

features. There is not one silhouette 

that can apply to all body shapes, this 

is all part of the fun of trying different 

styles. So be prepared to possibly 

surprise yourself with what you love. 

5. What about accessories? When 

it comes to accessorizing your bridal 

look think about the complete 

picture. Your first accessories to 

consider are your skin, hair, nails and 

make-up. Look after yourself and 

sleep well. That bridal glow is all about 

you enjoying your wedding. If you 

are having fun, so will your guests. I 

recommend keeping a selection of 

jewellery on hand to make your final 

choice on the day as this will be the 

first time you see the complete vision 

of yourself. 


The glow 

To make sure you look and 

feel your best on your big 

day, North Coast make-up 

artist, Volenti Laurentina 

Duke offers us a peek into 

her makeup treasure trove 

and tells us how to create 

the perfect wedding day 

make-up. 

Model and make up artist Pamela McNeil did her own make up for this particular shoot | Instagram: 

@_pamjam_ | Volenti: volenti.sketchfx@gmail.com Instagram: @volentim | Photo: Sean Baker 

Nourish your skin before the day 

It’s important to stay hydrated leading 

up to your wedding. Volenti also 

recommends going for regular facials 

and exfoliating your skin. “This will 

help unclog your pores, boost circulation 

and allow your skin products to 

penetrate deeper, in turn leaving your 

skin with a more natural glow. And 

which bride wouldn’t want to glow 

naturally?” 

Test drive your make-up look 

A makeup trial is always a good idea 

prior to the big day. This allows the 

bride to explore different looks and 

see the idea she have in mind come 

to life. It also allows for both you and 

your artist to be on the same page 

before all the excitement of the day. 

Prep the canvas 

Priming the canvas is key! Start your 

makeup with a good primer to allow 

your foundation to blend in and 

adhere to the skin better. Match your 

foundation correctly to your skin tone 

so it blends seamlessly into your neck 

to avoid looking as if you are wearing 

a mask. 

Waterproof all the way 

Use waterproof makeup (a waterproof 

setting powder and waterproof 

mascara) and set makeup with a 

waterproof fixing spray at the end of 

the makeup application, as this will 

hold the makeup in place. Kryolan has 

an amazing waterproof fixing spray. 

This will allow you to feel confident 

and feel the emotion of the day 

knowing your makeup won’t let you 

down. If you feel the tears welling up, 

remember to gently dab them away, 

don’t rub. 

It’s all about the glow 

The current bridal makeup trend is 

to have a beautiful glow. We don’t 

want a shiny bride, so prepping the 

skin for foundation with a primer and 

setting foundation correctly with a 

translucent or setting powder is the 

first step. This allows for longevity of 

the makeup throughout the day and 

leading into the evening. We can then 

add the glowing effect with beautiful 

highlighters and soft shimmers. A 

gentle contour to define the features 

of the face, cheek bones and brow 

bones is beautiful. I love to add a 

little colour to the cheeks. Define 

the eyebrows and comb through 

- remember your eyebrows are the 

frames to your eyes and having your 

eyebrows shaped by a professional 

prior to your wedding day will help 

open and lift your eyes and allow for 

a beautiful application of eyeshadow. 

All of this will set you up for a 

beautifully defined face for photos. 

Balance is key 

Try find balance in your makeup. A 

basic rule is that strong eyes go with 

softer lips and vice versa. If you go for 

bold lips, a stunning wing liner is a 

nice option for the eyes. Alternatively, 

you can create balance by using 

similar tones throughout your face. 

At the end of the day you still want to 

look like you, so choose a style that 

defines who you are. 

Have your emergency kit ready 

Keep a basic touch-up kit nearby on 

the day of your wedding. Summer 

brides will have to contend with the 

humidity levels, so you want to make 

sure you are not glowing too much. 

Make sure to have a little blotting 

paper or a beauty blender and 

translucent powder (even a pressed 

powder in a compact with a mirror) 

to blot or absorb any excess dewiness 

that may occur throughout the day. 

Also, keep a lipstick or gloss in the 

same colour that your artist has used 

for touch ups. The first touch up will 

be needed after the ceremony (that 

first kiss) and before your photoshoot 

to ensure you look perfect in every 

picture. 


The florals 

Think autumn hues, dried 

flowers, foraged branches 

and oodles of texture. 

Post-pandemic wedding 

florals are predicted to 

become a celebration of 

all the beauty we have 

growing locally says 

Ballito’s Adore Weddings 

owner, Carolyn Hall. 

Flowers & concept: Adore Weddings, www.adoreweddings.co.za | 083 364 4658 | Instagram: @adore_weddings 

Set your own trend 

Not a big fan on following ‘trends’, 

Carolyn suggests rather creating a 

look and feel that uniquely reflects 

your personality and story. “As a 

designer, it is truly special to put 

together personalised florals and 

décor that the wedding couple will 

enjoy, not just on their wedding day, 

but also in 20 years to come when 

they look back at the photos from 

their big day.” This being said though, 

the flower fanatic believes we have 

moved on from the greenery look 

to a more flower-filled feel. “The 

lockdown has thrown us for a loop 

and I think couples will be looking for 

well-structured, intentionally designed 

arrangements and installations as 

opposed to a sheer mass of flowers.” 

Be kind in your choice 

“There already is and I anticipate 

we will see a continuation in the 

movement to opt for responsibly 

sourced and designed florals.” 

Choosing locally sourced flowers 

and going largely foam free in the 

installation helps to make the impact 

on our planet gentler. “There’s an 

overall sense of working with nature 

and her seasons rather than against 

her. It’s a kinder, simpler approach.” 

Local blooms to fall in love with 

Late autumn bridal couples can 

choose Dahlia or alstroemeria to 

play with, as well as beautiful locally 

produced roses. “Going into winter 

we will see gorgeous snap dragons 

and Delphinium. Our stunning winter 

bulbs like anemones are lovely, 

followed by ranunculus during late 

winter/early spring.” Add texture to 

your look with autumn and winter 

foliage and even branches. “Think 

foliage in golden yellows, rusty 

oranges and those moody reds. 

Branches add interest to the overall 

feel and you can find beautiful colours 

here too with some of them going 

into an almost purple hue. We all see 

quite a few berry branches during 

autumn and winter which is great to 

add too.” Carolyn loves using winter 

grasses and fynbos for added texture. 

“Our winter grasses are exquisite! Their 

golden white colour is really striking. 

Fynbos is also excellent to add loads 

of texture to your arrangement. It’s 

all about having fun with florals and 

creating a look that you love.” 


Let’s talk 

wedding 

shoes… 

…because who isn’t obsessed with 

shoes? To help you decide which beauties 

you are going to strut down the aisle in, 

we have called on the creative genius of 

bespoke wedding planner and owner of Oh 

Happy Day, Joelene Botha from Umdloti. 


Badgely Mishka 

hey say the shoes 

maketh the woman. 

Wedding shoes are a 

matter of personal style 

and choice, and are literally the one 

thing that could make or break how 

comfortable you are on your special 

day,” says Joelene. When it comes to 

selecting your style of wedding shoe, 

she suggests considering your style 

of dress first (or seek out the advice 

of your designer or boutique on style 

advice if you’re feeling a little stuck). To 

help inspire you, Joelene has shared a 

few fun options from some of her fave 

designers: 

ELEGANTLY ON POINTE: For the 

dazzling bride who loves a statement 

shoe that demands to be admired, 

she suggests a pointy, high-heeled, 

diamante-detailed shoe. Take a look at 

Badgley Mischka or Harriet Wilde for 

some inspiration. This look would pair 

well with a glamorous wedding gown. 

TIMELESS AND CLASSY: Less is 

more…so opt for a simple yet 

sophisticated heel or strappy sandal. 

Think Kenneth Cole, Jimmy Choo or 

Valentino…the perfect shoes for a 

high fashion bride who wants to be 

understated at the same time. 

LOW AND STEADY: The low, block 

heel is a stylish and comfortable 

alternative if balancing on stilettos is 

not your thing. Be inspired by Kate 

Spade and Prada’s designs. TIP: If 

you’ve found the perfect fit, but you 

are not mad about the colour, ask 

your dress designer or tailor to cover 

your pair in a matching material to 

your dress. 

CUTE AND COMFY: For the bride 

who can’t wear heels and does not 

want to wear flats on her wedding 

day, try Espadrilles or a wedge for 

the boho beach or safari bride. Take 

a look at Ernesto Terron’s wedding 

range or Schuttz online for some 

divine wedding wedge inspiration. 

A pair of comfy trainers or sneakers 

would work beautifully for a low-key 

bride who chooses comfort first. Keds 

and Kate Spade have collectively 

come out with a stunning range of 

bridal sneakers and Converse are a 

good option too if you’re looking to 

customise your own range. 

Once you’ve found your dreamy pair, 

make sure to try on the shoes you 

choose for the big day and check if 

they are comfortable. “After all, you’re 

going to be spending about ten 

hours in them, so best they be comfy!” 

After you’ve made your decision 

and bought your favourite pair, she 

suggests that you spend a week or 

two before the big day ‘breaking 

them in’. “Wear them as often as you 

can…whether it be on your walk to 

and from work, doing the groceries, at 

home doing the housework – try to 

spend an hour or two a day in them.” 

Joelene’s number one wedding 

planner tip is to always have a backup 

plan…and that goes for the shoes 

too! “Pack your go-to pair of Woolies 

flats or trainers and keep them with 

your bridesmaids - just in case you 

feel like slipping into your familiar 

faves once the party gets going.” 

Details: https://www.ohhappyday. 

co.za/ or Instagram: @ohhappydaydbn 

Bella Bella 

Jimmy Choo Heels 

Valentino 


A moment 

in time 

Whether you are holding out for a fabulous, big affair, or you’ve decided to opt for 

a quieter more intimate wedding celebration, the one thing you will never regret is 

making sure you have the right person to capture your memories. 

Photos: Peppermint Pix Photography, www.peppermintpix.co.za, 

peppermintpixstudio@gmail.com, 073 244 8854 


From the children giggling in the 

corner to the tiniest of décor details, 

it’s the little stories playing out on 

the sides of the main event that 

truly inspire Ballito husband and wife 

photography and videography team 

Chris and Emily Allan. 

While many people are only now 

discovering what it’s like to live and 

work with their spouses all day long 

because of Covid-19, the Allan’s have 

been doing it for years. After leaving 

their jobs in the television and image 

library world, they took the leap and 

started their photography business, 

PeppermintPix Photography. 

While they do a number of different 

types of shoots, Emily says they 

espeically love working together 

when they are shooting a wedding 

“We both shoot on the day and this 

allows us to focus on the main event 

as well as the little things behind the 

scenes. It also allows us to shoot video 

and photography at the same time.” 

When it comes to wedding 

photography trends, Emily says while 

much has changed, a lot has also 

stayed the same. “That is what I love 

about weddings. I love the traditions, 

but also how creative and different 

bridal couples can be.” One new trend, 

she says, is to spread out the wedding 

day rather than rushing from one part 

to the next. “They are taking time to 

enjoy the day and giving themselves 


enough time to have photos taken 

and still enjoy canapes and drinks 

with their guests.” 

Emily says there is also more of a 

focus on documenting the day as it 

happens, rather than using too many 

staged backdrops and fancy flashes. 

“We love that our clients are also 

always willing to try something new 

and allow us to be creative and even 

a little daring! We have shot couples 

at night under an umbrella in the 

pouring rain, been surround by a 

herd of cows so the bride (who was 

a vet) could have her dream photo 

and braved lions and buffalo in big 

5 country for a game ranger and his 

new wife! We have stalked through 

sugar cane, climbed walls, waded into 

the sea and ridden on tractors . . . all in 

pursuit of a great, one- of-a-kind shot! 

And we love it. Or at least Chris does. I 

normally direct from somewhere safe 

and dry,” she laughs. 

Speaking to the effect that the current 

pandemic might have on weddings 

in the near future, Emily suspects 

videography and live streaming might 

play a role in the future, especially if 

people aren’t permitted to travel. “We 

shoot both video and photography 

and although it’s something we 

currently take back to the studio 

and edit (so people can share it with 

absent families and friends), I don’t see 

why we can’t also live stream wedding 

services and receptions in the future.” 

Asked what her very favourite 

wedding was to photograph, Emily 

says it’s impossible to choose! “We 

do really love weddings that take 

us to new places though as we love 

to travel. We’ve shot in Mozam, the 

Natal Midlands, Ballito, Johannesburg, 

Prince Albert, Durban, various game 

reserves and Dullstroom.” 


CHRIS AND EM’S TOP WEDDING 

PHOTOGRAPHY NO-NO’S: 

1. Don’t hire amateurs, especially for 

the photography. You would never let 

your cousin who is a home cook make 

food for 120 guests at your wedding, 

so don’t ask a friend who has a nice 

camera to shoot the photos and 

video. Wedding photography is a skill 

and an art and experience is key. It 

will be the only thing you take home 

when the wedding is done, don’t 

underestimate how much you will 

value those photos in the end. 

2. Get to know your photographer. 

Don’t just choose someone because 

they have a good website and nice 

photographs. Chat to them on the 

phone, meet for coffee or Facetime. 

You will spend the whole day with 

them, so it’s vital that they make you 

feel relaxed and can make you laugh . 

. . and they don’t irritate you! 

3. Don’t force your bridesmaids into 

outfits they wouldn’t normally wear. 

They will feel unhappy and look 

unhappy and you will know that every 

time you look at the photos. You love 

them for who they are, let them be 

who they are on your day. 


Mysterious sightings in Knysna. Exploring Kruger 

National Park. We do live in a marvellous country. 

Of Otangs 

and Apps 

It’s like having a game ranger in your pocket ... 

amazing Kruger Explorer App 

Regular readers know how much we love a bush escape ... and we’ve just 

discovered the ultimate App for visitors to Kruger National Park. Kruger 

Explorer contains a massive amount of info ... it’s like having your own, private, 

very knowledgeable guide (with all the insider secrets guides seem to know) in 

your pocket. 

This field guide has hundreds of details you need ... from animal profiles (did 

you know the civet is semi-dependent on water, so if you want to see one 

you need to look near a reliable water source?) to self-drive routes (more than 

70 of them, so you won’t hit the same dirt road twice), new accurate and upto-date 

maps of the park and so much more. There’s info on mammals and 

birds, reptiles and invertebrates, on the flora and ecozones you’ll experience in 

the park. The routes include those for 

camps which are useful for overnight 

visitors, as well as routes more 

suitable for day visitors. 

With more than 400 high-res 

images, and 300 000 words of 

content, this App is perfect for using 

while in the reserve, as well as for 

planning before you leave home. It’s 

also marvellously educational ... so 

great for kids. 

The App was created by Danny 

Broome and Charlotte Kirke, who 

are from the UK but have a love 

of Africa in general and Kruger in 

particular. ‘We’re very conscious that 

part of the wonderful experience 

of the Kruger is escaping the bustle 

and stresses of life – and for many 

people this means being offline. 

Ensuring the App works completely 

offline once downloaded adds a 21st 

century polish to a Kruger visit, while 

not impacting the bush escape 

experience’, they say. 

The KrugerExplorer App is available 

for mobile and tablet devices and 

can be downloaded from the App 

Store and Google Play. Details: 

krugerexplorer.com 

‘Otangs’ in the 

Knysna forests 

Possibly best known for his work 

on African lions, environmentalist 

and independent wildlife researcher 

Gareth Patterson has spent more 

than quarter of a century working on 

the protection of our wildlife. 

He’s author of more than 10 books 

... including The Secret Elephants, a 

culmination of many years of research 

into the secretive Knysna elephants. 

The recently released Beyond the 

Secret Elephants continues this 

story, but also reveals his startling 

discovery of a much more mysterious 

being than the elephants – a relict 

hominoid known to the indigenous 

forest people as the Otang. 

The possible existence of relict 

hominoids is gaining momentum 

worldwide with ongoing research 

into Bigfoot in North America, the 

Yeti in the Himalayas and the Orang 

Pendek in Sumatra, and eminent 

conservationists and scientists – Dr 

Jane Goodall, Dr George Schaller 

and Professor Jeff Meldrum – have 

said they’re open-minded about 

their possible existence. Gareth has 

heard many accounts, which he’s 

documented in this new book ... most 

of them, he says, were spontaneous 

and unprompted. Fascinating – an 

exceptional natural history book 

(also available as an e-book). Tracey 

McDonald Publishers, R270 

Compiled by: KYM ARGO 


PeppermintPix 

WEDDING & FAMILY 

PHOTOGRAPHY 

www.peppermintpix.co.za | peppermintpixstudio@gmail.com

Spoil 

May 

Bubbles to celebrate mum 

We don’t really need an excuse to pop open a bottle of our favourite bubbly. But 

as it’s May, and Mothers’ Day, and autumn ... we have three reasons to celebrate. 

This month we’re sipping Krone Rosé Cuvée Brut 2018 Cap Classique. 

A blend of 87 per cent Pinot Noir and 13 per cent Chardonnay, this salmon 

pink cap classique is all rose water and coastal sour figs, pomegranates and 

cranberries, candied orange and white-fleshed nectarine, with a lingering note 

of toasted hazelnuts. It’s just perfect with a simple picnic (think charcuterie, 

melted ripe Camembert and a crusty sourdough bread), or a more refined 

meal like salmon with crispy skin crackling, or duck with cherries. If you 

prefer something a little sweeter, try 

Krone Night Nectar Demi-Sec Rosé 2018 ... the closest in 

style to the first famous sparkling wines of France a century 

ago. With a touch of sweetness which renders the style 

demi-sec (or semi-sweet) it’s a blend of Pinot Noir 

and Chardonnay, is a lustrous pink-copper, and all 

cranberries, raspberries, strawberries and red 

cherries, maraschino cherries and toffee apples 

... beyond delish! Have it with prawns grilled 

on the hot coals, with a sticky pork belly, with 

a strawberry cream cake or a plate of rose 

water macarons. Swoon! You’ll find both 

these at your local wine store or grocer for 

around R150 a bottle. We’re giving away 

a case of Krone to one Get It reader ... 

simply visit GetItMagNC on Facebook, 

find our post and tag a friend in the 

comments section. The competition 

closes end May. Good luck. 


NEW ! 

At last a low cal 

premium lager for 

those who demand 

healthier options 

LOW 

CARB 

Vegan 

0,9% 

Gluten Free 

Skinny Brands Premium Lager was 

born from an emerging trend by 

consumers who demand healthier 

options. In response we crafted a 

cutting-edge product for mindful, 

informed individuals who refuse 

to compromise. This unique lager 

has only 89 calories, a clean, crisp, 

refreshingly malty taste & is full 

flavour at 4% ABV. It is also Vegan 

Certified, Gluten Free & Kosher. 

Ask for a Skinny Lager at your local 

store, selected Spar Tops, Norman 

Goodfellows, Solly Kramers, Loco 

Liq, Liquor City & Makro. 

NEVER COMPROMISE 

WIN ! 

Stand a chance to win a case of Skinny Brands Premium Lager! 

Simply like our Facebook page or follow us on Instagram, tag 

your favourite watering hole on our ‘TAG YOUR LOCAL’ post and 

we will ensure we get it stocked there for you! 

TAG YOUR LOCAL 

SkinnyLagerSA 

skinnylager_sa

MAY 2020 - Ballito.Umhlanga

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