JHB North - Oct 2021

JOBURG NORTHERN SUBURBS
Take care of
your mental
health with
SAMKE NGCOBO
Flower crowns &
green spaces ...
it's garden month
WIN
A seriously
stylish scent
FILL YOUR CUP
GORGEOUS BLOOMS, ROSÉ WINE & FINDING THE PERFECT FIT
SHOPPING, PEOPLE AND LIFESTYLE IN YOUR NEIGHBOURHOOD
OCTOBER 2021

CONTENTS
GET IT
Editorial
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Editor Daniella Graham
daniellap@caxton.co.za 087-285-8108
Workflow & Studio Manager Megan Brett
Subeditor Nadia Smuts
Contributor Tayla Blaire
Sales
Paul Smith 082-601-9972
Business Manager
Norman Dawe 087-285-7888
GET IT HEAD OFFICE
National Group Editor and National Sales
Kym Argo
kyma@caxton.co.za
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Published by CTP Limited
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reserves the right to publish the names of
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Northern branch within 10 days or they will be
forfeited. Prizewinners’ names are published on
our Facebook page monthly.
WHY DON’T YOU…
06 Watch a beautiful ballet, visit marvellous markets and
enjoy an energetic event
BOOK CLUB
08 Raise a G&T to some great reads
WISH LIST
10 Cute floral prints, a refreshing rosé and a racy, lacy number …
October’s looking oh-so pretty
PEOPLE
12 Samke Ngcobo is a doctor who has learnt to be brave
by being vulnerable
14 Let bra guru Taryn Palacios help you find the perfect fit
HEALTH & BEAUTY
17 It’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month … find out why
you should book a mammogram
18 Beauty’s in the pink
20 Rose oil. Rose water. And rose geranium… We’re raving about
rosy skincare products!
FOOD
22 Eat well, live well … and indulge in a few spoils
DECOR & GARDENING
24 Bring the garden indoors
26 Escape into nature … celebrate Garden Day
28 Find out what we’re planting
TRAVEL
32 Explore the Mother City … it has a cosmopolitan vibe that’s like
nowhere else in the country
WIN
34 A desirable designer fragrance
COVER LOOK
Personality: Samke Ngcobo
Photographer: Nicole Moore. Details: nicolemoorephotography.co.za
Location: Beechwood Gardens. Details: beechwoodgardens.co.za
OCTOBER 2021
October 21 Get It Magazine 03

A hot date!
Outdoor fun for everyone and a brilliant ballet not to miss
It’s time to get energetic and
02 educated! Breast for Life, Heroes 23
for Heroes and Pilates Guru have joined
forces to host a Barre Class for Breast
Cancer Awareness. It promises to be
a fun-filled event … and a chance to
learn about breast cancer. Find the
activities on the first-floor balcony
outside Pilates Guru at Linksfield Terrace
Shopping Centre. October 2 from
10.30am. It’s free but be sure to RSVP.
Details: Pilates Guru 073-447-2242.
08
In a month dedicated to
celebrating gardens, it’s fitting
– and rather splendid – that beautiful
blooms will be on display for you to see
and smell at the Annual Rose Show
hosted by Gold Reef Rose Society. The
show is open to anyone to exhibit
roses grown in their gardens … and
the best will be crowned Queen of The
Show. Benmore Centre (main court).
October 8 and 9. Entry is free. Details:
goldreefrosesociety@gmail.com or visit the
Gold Reef Rose Society Facebook page.
09
Step out, show up and shop
up a storm at the Field Market.
As always, it promises to be a lovely
day … browse the stalls, then grab
a bite to eat and sit under the trees
as you catch up with family and
friends to the gentle sound of live
music. It’s at the Field and Study Park
in Parkmore. October 9 from 9am to
3pm. Details: fieldmarket.co.za or follow
@thefieldmarket on Insta and Facebook.
17
Hip hip hooray, it’s Garden Day
on October 17! It was created
by the free gardening app, Candide,
six years ago as a chance for South
Africans to celebrate our green spaces.
Since many of us have been honing
our green fingers during lockdown,
we can use this day to sit back and
enjoy what we’ve sown! Details: For
inspo, visit gardenday.co.za and follow
@GardenDaySA on Candide, Facebook,
Instagram, TikTok and Twitter.
There’s something for everyone to enjoy at The Linden Market: Spring
Edition … think yoga in the park, local makers, live music, craft beer
and tasty treats. For the youngsters, there’s much fun to be had in the Kids
Corner. You can bring along your furry friends on leashes too. The Botanical
Gardens, Emmarentia. October 23 and 24 from 9am to 4.30pm. Tickets R30;
kids under 12 years – free. Details: quicket.co.za
08
The Nutcracker is one of the most beloved classical ballets, and this month,
Joburg Ballet brings it to the stage. Discover a fairy tale world as Clara and
the Nutcracker Prince journey to the Kingdom of the Sweets, dance through
snowflakes and meet the Sugar Plum Fairy. Joburg Theatre. October 8 to 17.
Tickets R280. Details: joburgtheatre.com or webtickets.co.za
If you have a date for the Get It diary page, email the info at least a month in advance to daniellap@caxton.co.za
06 Get It Magazine October 21

Book club
A great read and a G&T. Happy Summer indeed!
In Being Dianne (the fourth
instalment in Qarnita Loxton’s
Being-series) Dianne lives, for the
sake of their daughters, next door
to her ex-husband, with a shared
garden. But her daughters aren’t
too thrilled with her new boyfriend.
So it doesn’t look good when she
thinks about introducing them to
her new girlfriend! But when one
of the daughters has to deal with
homophobia at school, Dianne feels
compelled to speak out and be
honest about who she is. nbpublishers
For fans ... a whoop of joy. Hello to the seventh instalment of
Lucinda Riley’s The Seven Sisters series. The six D’Aplièse sisters
have each been on their own incredible journey to discover their
heritage, but they still have one question left unanswered: who
and where is the seventh sister? They’ll search the world to find her.
And in The Missing Sister, they have clue – an image of a starshaped
emerald ring. Their search takes them from New Zealand
to Canada, from England to France to Ireland – uniting them all in
their mission to complete their family at last. Pan Macmillan
Page one ... and builders working in the grounds of an
historic convent dig up a coffin. With a start like that, you
know Lynda La Plante’s Unholy Murder is going to thrill.
Particularly when the coffin holds the body of a young nun.
And when there are scratch marks on the inside of the lid.
And when her fingernails are worn down to the finger tips.
This Detective Jane Tennison novel is a good as it gets ...
one of those one-sit-reads, since you simply can’t put it
down. Defs our book of the month! Bonnier
All these books available at exclusivebooks.co.za
08 Get It Magazine October 21

Let’s raise a glass (of G&T) to a great
read. At book club this month, we’re
having the latest Italian Ginato
gin ... the Melograno. With juniper
berries, grapes and citrus, along
with pomegranates which give it
its gorgeous hue, it makes a lovely
Melograno Fizz - combine 35ml
Ginato Melograno gin, a dash of
orange liqueur in a champagne flute,
top with chilled Prosecco and salute.
Around R360 from takealot.com
The Island of Missing Trees by Elif Shafak is a rich, magical tale of belonging
and identity, memory and trauma, nature and renewal. Penguin • A daring and
timely feminist retelling of The Iliad from the perspective of the women of Troy
who endured it. Pat Barker’s The Women of Troy is an extraordinary follow up
to The Silence of the Girls. Penguin • Between life and death there is a library. And
within, the shelves go on forever. Every book provides a chance to try another
life you could have lived. To see how things would be if you had made other
choices. Would you have done anything different, if you had the chance to
undo your regrets? Matt Haig’s The Midnight Library is all regret, hope, and
second chances. Penguin • Billy Summers. Killer for hire. But he wants out.
There’s just one last hit he needs to do. Part war story, part love letter to a
small American town, and features one of the most surprising duos in Stephen
King’s fiction. Hodder and Stoughton • In Liane Moriarty’s Apples Never Fall,
former tennis coaches Joy and Stan are still winning tournaments, their four
adult children are busy living their own lives, all appears good. But now Joy’s
disappeared and the children question ... were things never as rosy as they
seemed in the Delaney household? Penguin
Compiled by KYM ARGO
October 21 Get It Magazine 09

Wish list
Seeing October through rose tinted glasses
Cute floral Renita
ruched tote bag.
R399 from
poetry.co.za
Compiled by: KYM ARGO
Brighten up a dull corner with a floral print ... this Mountain Rose Bay
is from the Bold Botanicals selection of prints, but there are orchids and
aloes and tulips and an entire flower garden of choices on cabodesign.net.
Follow them on Instagram, too, for ideas and inspiration.
For outdoor
picnics, or
any other times
you need wineon-the-go,
this
Vinette Rosé in an
aluminium can ticks
all the correct boxes.
Delicious. Light and
easy to carry. Recyclable.
Try it with lemon chicken,
calamari, fish and chips and
tapas. One can gives two
servings, so you can share.
R27.99 a can from checkers.co.za
10 Get It Magazine October 21

We’ve just discovered –
perfectly timed for Summer
– Nalu Wines. A small range
… and the first on our
tasting adventure is this Nalu
Rosé. A light salmon pink,
it’s upfront with crushed
summer berries, black and
red cherries and subtle spicy
tones, and is an explosion
of berry flavour. Serve it
with prosciutto, ricotta and
arugula bruschetta or a fresh
niçoise salad. R68 a bottle
from naluwines.com
October is breast cancer awareness month.
So first thing in the diary ... book for a
mammogram. Then once they’ve been checked,
show off your boobs in this sexy Distraction Iris
Flower lace padded balconette multiway bra.
R379 from Woolworths.
If Desigual was a flower,
it would forever be in
bloom. We’re all over this
latest SpringSummer21
collection ... full of life,
colour, sheer joy and
femininity. This Botanical
Bloom collection is just one
of the delightful ranges from
this Spanish brand this season ...
the Mediterranean Inspirations
and Go With the Flow ranges,
in particular, are equally
appealing. Shop
on desi-sa.co.za
October 21 Get It Magazine 11

Your mind
Matters
Medical doctor, keynote
Samke, who founded
speaker, author and If the last two years have taught an NPO called Sisters
philanthropist – when it
for Mental Health
us anything, it’s the importance
comes to changing the
(sistersformentalhealth.
mental health narrative
of taking care of your mental
co.za). ‘I saw the need
in South Africa, is there
to provide a safe
anything Samke Ngcobo health … something close to space and platform to
can’t do? Seeing that it is
provide mental health
Mental Health Awareness Samke Ngcobo’s heart. And she is education and support.
Month in South Africa, we
The organisation seeks
spoke to one of the most well on her way to changing the to collaborate with
prolific mental health
other mental health
advocates in the country.
mental health narrative in SA.
organisations in order
If there is one thing
to provide mental
we have learned over the last two years, it’s the
health resources more easily. I believe that the best
importance of mental health. Being cooped up in storyteller about mental health struggles is one who
lockdown, socially isolated from friends and family, is living with it.’
and having a ‘new normal’ forced upon us has
Samke shares her experiences (and public speaking
taken its toll – and those are just the mental health talent) through her motivational speaking. ‘It’s one
difficulties that everyone faces. Many of us have had of my passions as I get to connect and authentically
to fight additional mental health battles, and Samke relate with my audience. The platforms enable
is no exception.
me to visibly empower my audience through my
‘My bipolar diagnosis came at the age of 14 and confidence to be brave by being vulnerable. I enjoy
my journey with it has evolved, from being one of connecting about our shared humanness.’
struggle and shame to one of triumph and activism. Her aim is to grow her public speaking in the
I have been subjected to stigma from a cultural corporate sector as well as her community … and
perspective as I was deemed bewitched and also she isn’t afraid to dream big either! ‘I dream of a
from a religious perspective where I was deemed television talk show which is focused on mental
to be demon-possessed. This stage of my illness led health awareness and advocacy. I’m currently hosting
to shame and resentment of the illness. I also went Mindful Discussions on Woman Radio so my dream is
through a stage of denial as I could not connect not too out of reach!’
with the reality of a mentally ill individual so I often Samke also shares her insights in her book, Reflections
defaulted on my medication. My other struggle was of a Convoluted Mind: A Journey with My Mental
related to the side effects of my medication. I have Illness. ‘This is my vulnerable and brave offering
finally arrived at a place of acceptance and have where I narrate my story related to experiencing the
empowered myself by being a student of myself and symptoms of my illness, my experience of stigma and
my illness. I feel a responsibility to be vocal about this my life as a doctor who is also a mentally ill patient. My
topic,’ Samke says.
book is sold online on Amazon and in paperback at
Mental health continues to be stigmatised, although Exclusive Books, Book Circle Capital and Protea Books.’
huge strides have been made in recent years. ‘I
October is also garden month, and you can often
believe that stigma has improved around mental find Samke in the garden or on a hike. ‘I love hiking
health in the last decade as more robust platforms and meeting with friends on weekends. I believe
have been created and people are more vocal about that being outdoors is important for my mental
mental health and candid about the reality of mental well-being. Being one with nature is something
health issues. I believe that the presence of Covid-19 that I find soothing and refreshing. It is an authentic
has played a significant role in facilitating the
environment which I find relaxing.’
urgency of mental health advocacy and support.’
Details: If you’d like to keep up with Samke’s journey,
Mental health advocacy is a key concern for
follow her on Instagram @_vocalmentality.
12 Get It Magazine October 21

How else can we support our mental
health? Samke shares her top tips:
• Identify your triggers which you believe pose a
threat to your mental health.
• Set boundaries in your relationships and deal
with toxic connections.
• Prioritise yourself by ensuring that you make time
for yourself daily to reflect on the day gone by and
to be more self-aware and mindful.
• Manage your exposure to technology, especially
social media.
• Most importantly, own your reality and don’t be
ashamed about your illness.
• Empower yourself as much as possible with
knowledge and connecting with people who are
supportive of you and embrace you holistically.
Text: TAYLA BLAIRE. Photographer: NICOLE MOORE. Details: nicolemoorephotography.co.za. Location: BEECHWOOD GARDENS. Details: beechwoodgardens.co.za
October 21 Get It Magazine 13

One size doesn’t fit all
Who likes wearing bras? Not you? Thought so. Most women hate wearing bras – this
guru gets it! Taryn Palacios is determined to help you find the perfect fit.
Text: TAYLA BLAIRE. Photo: EMMA O’BRIEN PHOTOGRAPHY. Location: THE BRA GURU STUDIO.
Taryn Palacios is on a personal mission to change how most
women feel about wearing bras. Since October is Breast
Cancer Awareness Month, it’s a fitting time to find out just why
she launched The Bra Guru studio back in 2014.
‘We started out of the need to have a safe space for a woman
to go and find a bra that fits properly and in the size that she
needs,’ Taryn says.
‘Often women are just guessing their way through
bra shopping, and it leaves them feeling hopeless and
uncomfortable. We offer a free, professional, one-on-one bra
fitting service, to make sure that they are wearing their perfect
size and style. When you find your perfect fit, it not only
improves your comfort and support but restores your inner
glow. It is truly special to see a woman leave our studio more
confident than when she arrived.’
If it sounds too good to be true, it’s really not! ‘Our business
has grown into a bigger studio than when we started. At
our new studio, we have two busy fitting rooms. The move
to the Valley Centre, almost four years ago, has allowed us
to accommodate walk-ins as well as appointment bookings.
We have also gained three new distributors. Our product
range has also expanded and we adapted our offering to
our clients’ needs and size specifications.
‘We now cater for up to K-cup sizes and have an amazing
range of almost 70 styles, including underwire, no wire, big
cups, small cups, push-up, strapless, sports and more!’
If you head to the Valley Centre, you’ll meet Taryn and Dawn,
who assist each client from start to finish. So what sets The
Bra Guru apart? ‘Our personalised service is everything. The
difference is that we are here to help you with a specific
requirement, and we have the expertise. I ask one thing
from my clients for their first fitting: Have an open mind
and trust the process. It is amazing being in the business of
restoring somebody’s confidence. I love everything we do
here: I love the staff, the service, the clients and our amazing
selection of products. I love knowing that we can find a
solution for anyone. We see so many instant makeovers and
it is so great to have contributed to this process.’
We love the attention to detail The Bra Guru offers, but we
love the donation initiative even more. ‘When most ladies
come in and find their perfect bra, they may no longer need
the one they were wearing. Instead of throwing it away, it
can be donated instead. The donated bras are distributed
to various public breast care units and women shelters.
We have so many generous clients and have collected
thousands of bras for charity over the years.’ You can drop
off bras at the studio during trading hours.
There is also a range catering specifically to breast cancer
patients. ‘Working in this industry, we are so close to breast
cancer. We see so many women at various stages of their
journeys and I think they are all incredibly brave and
amazing. Their strength and courage never cease to inspire
me. A bra can really impact your recovery and healing.
We keep a magnificent post-surgery range that is 70 per
cent bamboo and has been clinically tested and proven
to aid in a patient’s recovery. We also offer a wide range
of beautiful mastectomy bras that have no wire and that
can be worn with or without a breast prosthesis. We have
also enlisted the services of an orthotist who specialises in
breast prosthesis and dealings with medical aid, should it
be required by any of our clients. These appointments can
be booked through our studio as they are only available on
selected days.’
Should you visit The Bra Guru? Revisit your answer to our
first question! ‘A bra should be a joy to wear and if it is not, it
is because something is not right with your style and fit…
Our service was developed to take all the fuss and fret out
of bra shopping and turn it into the stress-free shopping
experience you wished you had discovered sooner.’
Details: Head to Shop 1 at the Valley Centre in Craighall or visit
thebraguru.co.za to get your perfect fit today!
14 Get It Magazine October 21

Stay abreast of your health
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, but do we
really need a reason to have a mammogram?
• Contrary to myth, the current mammogram machines do not pinch, squash or
deform the breasts. It is a quick procedure with very mild pressure.
• Anyone can get breast cancer – it is a myth that you are safe if there is no family
history of breast cancer. So, do regular self-checks, yearly mammograms and
speak to your doctor if you pick up any changes.
• One out of every 28 women in South Africa is diagnosed with breast
cancer, but early detection can save your life.
• Due to Covid-19 fear, women are neglecting their mammogram screenings,
increasing their chances of a delayed diagnosis.
• Your risk of breast cancer increases with age, all women over 40 should have
regular mammogram screenings.
• Make sure your mammogram facility has 3D mammogram capability, also
known as tomosynthesis or tomography – a specialised mammogram
machine that can take 3D images of the breast. In conjunction with the
2D mammogram images, it significantly boosts breast cancer detection,
especially in women who have dense breasts.
• Be a role model for other women in your life – get screened today!

Tickled pink
From candyfloss through marshmallow to raspberry ...
if it’s pretty and pink, it’s on our beauty wish list
Ten days of powerful, intensive anti-aging
treatment, specifically designed for women
with tired and lifeless-looking skin wanting
to improve their skin’s quality, target wrinkles
and treat lack of firmness and radiance. Brand
new - just weeks - on our beauty shelves, this
Filorga NCEF-Shot Supreme Polyrevitalising
Concentrate has 50 active ingredients, and
promises visible results after the 10 day daily
treatment. R1030 from filorgasouthafrica.co.za
Inspired by Tom Ford’s
private rose garden,
Rose Prick is a wild
bouquet. From R4345 from
woolworths.co.za
COLAB Dry Shampoo in Boho Rose is great for giving
second-day hair a bit of voom. R88.95 from Clicks. • And
va va voom volume from Redken’s Volume Injection
Shampoo - amazing for flat, fine or processed hair. R360
from retailbox.co.za • Bodycare From Africa Rosehip
Foaming Hand Wash with Rosehip and Vitamin E to
cleanse and moisturise. R74.95 from takealot.com
Sweet kisses with
RVBLAB The Makeup
Matt & Velvet Lipstick
in Rossetto Opaco
(37), R330 from
orleanscosmetics.co.za,
and Burt’s Bees Tinted
Lip Balm in Pink
Blossom, R99
from DisChem.
18 Get It Magazine October 21

We’re after soft,
unashamedly delicate
shades this Summer
... hello Pastel Fiesta
Collection from
MAVALA. Half a dozen
joyful shades ... we’re
wearing tender, pale
Hamptons and
sweet, luminous
raspberry Taormina.
R105 each
from mavala.co.za
We first discovered Floral
Street at the Chelsea Flower Show ... and
swooned when it arrived here in SA. This Neon
Rose Eau de Parfum is what a rose would smell
like if it was neon. R545 from woolworths.co.za
Highly recommended
from Team Dr Joseph ...
TDJ Gentle Rose Toner,
which is calming and
balancing (R385) and TDJ
Climate Defence Rich
Cream (R970) - a rich and
restorative cream which
offers protection from
wind and weather. Both
from teamdrjoseph.com
Sensitive skin? Try the very gentle
Gatineau Silk Toner, R495.00
• Very Rose. Very beautiful. Loving
this NUXE Very Rose Micellar
Water, which removes
make-up, cleanses, and
softens. R295. Both from select
Woolworths, Truworths & Foschini
stores or orleanscosmetics.co.za
Compiled by KYM ARGO
October 21 Get It Magazine 19

COMING UP
ROSES
Love and romance ... and a pretty rose garden. Yes please. But this flower
offers so much more. They’re also extremely beneficial in skincare, with
plenty of products derived from the rose plant that give exceptional results.
Rose oil
Unlike Rosehip oil, this oil
comes from the petals of
the flower and not the
seeds. While also containing
antibacterial, antiviral and
antifungal properties, this oil
also has effects that extend
beyond skincare. After
application to the skin, studies
have shown results such as:
decreased anxiety and stress,
eased depressive symptoms,
and relief from menstrual pain.
To use rose oil, it can be lightly
dabbed onto the skin, added
to a diffuser or dropped
into a warm bath.
Skin Oil from Africa Hydrating Rosehip
Oil. R75 from Clicks and Takealot.
Rosehip oil
Rosehip oil comes from the seeds of the wild rose
bush and is high in Vitamin A and essential fatty
acids. This oil has regeneration properties, fixing
dry and damaged skin as well as reducing signs of
aging. It is also useful for scar tissue, with the ability
to reduce signs of stretch marks. It even has antiviral
and antibacterial properties due to the phenols
that it contains. It is said that Kate Middleton is
a fan of rosehip oil, using it in her daily skincare
regime. It has multiple benefits, including hydrating
and brightening your skin, moisturising, boosting,
collagen formation, reducing inflammation and
hyperpigmentation, and boosting overall immunity.
You can either simply apply a few drops to your skin
and rub in, or add it to your moisturiser.
REN Rose O¹² Moisture
Defence Face Oil. R1150
from foschini.co.za
20 Get It Magazine October 21

Wild rose
Wild rose is known as the
Queen of Flowers and unlike the
conventional rose, has only five
petals. The distillation of this oil
was invented many hundreds of
years ago in Persia. It’s ideal for
stretch marks and scars, is rich in
antioxidants, is anti-inflammatory
and is ideal for dry & scaly skin.
Morlage & Yorke Apothecary Wild Rose & Sandalwood
Hand & Nail Cream - R59 from @Home.
Rose water
Made from water and rose petals,
this contains many antioxidants that
protect the skin from damage. It has
anti-bacterial properties and can
protect skin cells from degeneration.
Other benefits of using rose water
include its ability to sooth irritations,
reduce redness and treat infections.
It’s also good for healing cuts or
burns. It’s said to reduce signs of
aging, and can be used as a toner
or cleanser. Simply rinsing your face
with the rose water, pat dry and wait
for its natural results.
Renpure Rose Water Weightless Hydration Shampoo
and Conditioner. R149.95 each from DisChem.
SOiL Organic Rose Geranium Oil. R150 from soil.co.za
Rose geranium
This one isn’t really from
the rose plant at all. The
oil comes from a certain
geranium plant with leaves
that smell strongly of roses.
It is often used in cosmetics
and fragrances due to
its sweet smell, as well as
its favourable qualities,
including its anti-aging
properties, assistance in
healing, its pain relief and
anti-anxiety properties, and
it’s great at removing dead
skin cells. To use, simply
dilute with some water and
apply to skin. Alternatively,
you can add it to a warm
bath or use in a diffuser.
October 21 Get It Magazine 21

Jane’s healthy hummus
Hummus is a healthy and delicious
spread. The basic recipe is a smooth
blend of chickpeas, tahini (sesame
paste), garlic, cumin, lemon juice,
olive oil and salt. It’s easy to make
and much cheaper, and tastier, than
store bought, especially if you use
dried chickpeas and make your own
tahini. It freezes well, so make a big
batch and freeze small portions. The
secret to smooth, creamy hummus
is soft and mushy chickpeas, and the
trick to this is bicarbonate of soda.
Place the dry chickpeas in a bowl
and cover with at least 8 cm of water.
Add 1 teaspoon of bicarb per cup of
dried chickpeas. Soak overnight, then
simmer for 2 hours in the soaking
water, adding more water if needed.
If using canned chickpeas, cook them
with bicarb for 20 minutes and they’ll
make much creamier hummus.
Once those are ready, purée 2 to 3
garlic cloves, the juice of 1 lemon
and sea salt to taste, and let stand
for about 10 minutes. This tames the
garlic’s pungency, as the acids in the
lemon ‘cook’ it a little.
Add three-quarters of a cup of
tahini and blend until it’s thick and
creamy. Don’t stint on the tahini –
its nutty, slightly bitter taste gives
hummus a rich flavour. (If the oil has
separated out of the tahini, blend it
in beforehand.)
Run the food processor and slowly
add 2 tablespoons of iced water; this
makes the hummus fluffier. If your
tahini is very thick, you might need
to add a couple more tablespoons
of iced water. Add half a teaspoon of
ground cumin and 3 cups of cooked
chickpeas. While blending, drizzle
in 1 tablespoon of extra-virgin olive
oil. Continue blending until supersmooth,
scraping the sides as needed.
Add more iced water for a creamier
texture. Taste and add salt and lemon
juice if needed. I usually add more of
both but I prefer to add it at the end
rather than adding too much up front.
Many other ingredients can be added
to hummus to make a delicious array
of healthy spreads. Try roast beetroot
with ricotta cheese and mint; roast
carrots with orange juice and
harissa; avo with basil and coriander;
or baked sweet potatoes with hot
curry powder.
22 Get It Magazine October 21
EAT. DRINK.
BE MERRY!
&
Rose petal tea and beetroot hummus and a
glass of rosé ... it’s spoil-yourself-October.
Eat well, live well,
with Jane’s Superfoods
Power powders. Nut butters. Wonder weeds.
From asparagus to zucchini, algae to zinc, avos to Za’atar, Jane’s Delicious
Superfoods for Super Health is an uber-comprehensive guide to all the
delicious, nutrient-rich foods you should eat if you want to boost your immune
system, improve your health and reduce the risk of disease.
Jane, who’s been growing and eating healthy organic food for more than a
quarter of a century, and whose book Jane’s Delicious Garden led to a veggiegrowing
revolution in SA, talks us through fruits and vegetables, seeds and grains,
herbs and spices, nuts, seaweeds, mushrooms and more.
There’s detailed info about why these foods are good for us, how to maximise
their benefits and tips on how to incorporate them easily into our daily meals.
Dotted through the book are titbits about the history and origins of what we
eat, health aspects- think food sensitivities and the importance of gut bacteria, a
list of kitchen and pantry basics, plus a few recipes and useful tips on smoothies,
sprouting, juicing, dehydrating, fermenting and healthy cooking.
And for those keen to grow their own superfoods, there is also gardening advice.
An excellent addition to your library, joining Jane’s Delicious A-Z of Vegetables,
A-Z of Herbs and Urban Gardening. R350, Sunbird.

Can an indulgence be romantic?
We think so ... particularly when
you’re offering us chocolate. This GD
Chocolate’s Turkish Rose Buttercup
combines bittersweet dark chocolate
with a rosy soft centre. This handmade
treat is sweetened with raw honey,
naturally flavoured with rose
geranium, and is dairy-free, glutenfree
and cane sugar-free. Love! R19.99
from health shops, selected Spar
stores and faithful-to-nature.co.za
Tea time. Serve a sweet pot of Rose Petal & Vanilla
Infusions tea. Lovely with a scone and strawberry jam,
or some shortbread biscuits. Made too much? Chill it ... it
makes a really lovely ice-tea for hot Summer afternoons.
Naturally caffeine free. R41.99 from woolworths.co.za
There’s been a rosé
revolution at Vergelegen
wine estate, with the
launch of its very first rosé.
Named Florence (after
Florence, Lady Phillips,
chatelaine of the glorious
estate from 1917-1941),
it shows off a curvaceous,
blushing bottle, sports
a sprig of pale pink
camellias, is feminine and
fruity and is incredibly
food-friendly. Share a
bottle with the Florrie in
your life. R120, only from
vergelegen.co.za
For charming,
summery, rosy
cocktail Nettari
Rose Flavoured
Syrup. R135 from
takealot.com
Compiled by KYM ARGO
October 21 Get It Magazine 23

Playmats ... not just for the playroom
Pretty and practical. These ARK Playmats are high-quality foam playmats
designed to complement your home interior while at the same time
providing a safe, practical space for your little one to explore and grow.
So perfect for tummy time, tumbles, sitting, standing, crawling, walking,
hopping, skipping, running, jumping and playing on ... and great for you
to relax or exercise on, too. Easy to clean, non-toxic EVA foam, no latex or
any other baddies, BPA, anti-bacterial, odourless and hypoallergenic. And
aesthetically pleasing. So every boxed ticked. Details: arkplaymats.co.za
It’s rose. But not like the other
roses. This rose will show
you what it’s made of. And if
you let it, it’ll take you places.
France, to be exact, where
fields of roses bloom under
the midday sun. A soft rose
core, latticed with raspberry,
violet and patchouli. We’re
mad about the Floral Street
range, and this Rose Provence
Scented Candle is high up
on our wish list. R645
from Woolworths.
A voluptuous blend of seven of the
world’s most exquisite roses, with crushed
violet leaves and a hint of lemon, Jo
Malone’s Red Roses Soap is rich in
shea butter, luxuriously conditioning and
generously fragranced. Wrapped in a
unique design created by renowned artist
Michael Angove, it’s almost too pretty to
unwrap. R350 from Woolworths.
24 Get It Magazine October 21

This month we’re getting inspiration from Charlotte Moss, who encourages her readers
to bring the garden indoors. With ideas for arranging flowers, selecting containers, and placing blossoms
around the house, be it an inviting cluster of blooms on a guest room’s bedside table to lavish floral displays
for parties and holidays to single stems adding life to any corner of a room, Charlotte Moss Flowers is
a joyful celebration of blooms. R827 from Exclusive Books.
HOME
SWEET
HOME
Wall art ... an affordable option
We’re really loving this paint technique which
mimics wallpaper. It’s a technique which was
established after World War II ... a time when
people were battling financially, and while
wanting a glamorous wallpaper effect, weren’t
able to afford it the real thing. Hello 2021 ... not
quite WWII, but a time when, for many of us,
things are tight, financially. Add to that the fact
that we’re spending more time at home, and
trends are high on the home-improvement
front, and this is a winner. It’s cost effective, and
far more durable than traditional wallpaper, and
is done by Marilize Jacobs from Pigs Can Fly
Interiors, who buys her equipment directly
from the inventor’s grandson in France. She
has more than a dozen exceptional designs to
choose from, in matt or metallic finish. Pop over
to Pigs Can Fly Interiors on Instagram.
October 21 Get It Magazine 25

Compiled by: KYM ARGO
There’s been a massive, and very welcome,
trend these last two years towards conscious
living and connecting with nature. And while
we’re staying at home a lot more than we’re
used to, gardening is growing in popularity
again too, as we rediscover the joy of green
spaces. Which means this year’s Garden Day,
planned for October 17, is going to be a
wonderful, celebratory affair.
Apparently nearly three million people took
up gardening last year, and online plant
sales have soared. According to Candide,
the popular gardening app that unites plant
parents and garden enthusiasts across the
country and creator of Garden Day, South
Africa saw a 50 per cent average increase
in members during this time compared to
the same period the previous year. It seems
everyone - young and old - is embracing
plant culture and creating their own
green sanctuaries.
So what’s Garden Day all about? Now in its
sixth year, it’s a chance for people across the
country to celebrate their gardens and take
stock of the therapeutic effects that our leafy
spaces have on our emotional and physical
wellbeing. Whether you have a plant-filled
home office, a sprouting veggie patch, an
Instagram-ready indoor jungle or simply a
kitchen windowsill of potted herbs- the aim
is to indulge in and share the joy that your
green space brings you, and to acknowledge
the positive effect your blossoming flower
bed or fragrant herb garden has on you.
There are many ways in which you can
enjoy Garden Day. Set a stylish table. Use
teapots, antique flower books and plenty of
gorgeous, fresh flowers from the garden for
a stunning tea party tablescape. A simple
picnic on the lawn will bring you into direct
contact with the earth and that little bit of
sunshine will go a long way to helping lift
your mood. You can create an Insta-worthy
floral headpiece, or head to the kitchen to
add home-grown herbs to a delicious salad,
decorate a cake with petals or concoct a
botanical cocktail.
Whatever you decide to do, remember to
enjoy the moment, immerse yourself in
the restorative power of nature and share
the joy. We’ve never needed our green
spaces more.
If you need some bright ideas for the big
day, gardenday.co.za has a handy toolkit
to help you plan the perfect celebration,
including recipe ideas, downloadable
invitations for your celebration and things
to do and make with children in the garden.
Share your celebration, and tag your posts
with @GardenDaySA and #GardenDaySA.
Celebrate your
GREEN SPACE
It’s on with your floral crowns and outside you go
... we’re celebrating Garden Day this month
One of South Africa’s favourite flower and plant enthusiasts is
Babylonstoren’s floral designer Constance Stuurman. Stuurman plans
to use her role as an ambassador to raise awareness of the long-term
benefits of gardening. “It’s widely accepted that nature can help focus
the mind and that green spaces have a positive impact on health
and wellbeing. But did you know that a global study of five places
where residents are famed for their longevity found some interesting
commonalities when it came to the centenarians who live there? In
addition to daily exercise and plant-based diets, they all gardened,
happily and healthily, well into their 80s, 90s and beyond.”
Now that’s gardening for life.
26 Get It Magazine October 21

‘
For me it’s a day to ignore my tools and look
beyond the weeds, and simply be in the
moment and take pleasure in the beauty
of my garden. I love the idea of sharing my
green space with others. I am also excited to
see how creative everyone will be on Garden
’
Day as gardening has boomed among
younger generations, with more and more
actively engaging with Mother Nature.
Baybylonstoren’s Master gardener Gundula Deutschlander
Our new gardening essentials include these
Crocs from the new Tropical collection
(R599.95 from crocssa.co.za) ... they’re waterfriendly
and easy to clean after we’ve been
digging in the beds. Add this Spring
green Ellen wide brim sunhat
(R275 frompoetrystores.co.za),
and we’re good for a day out
in the garden.
The symbol for Garden
Day is a flower crown
and renowned chef
and home gardener Mogau
Seshoene, aka The Lazy Makoti, is
among the 2021 Garden Day ambassadors who
will be wearing one and leading this year’s celebrations.
For her, it’s all sharing. “I’ll be pulling out all the stops for a
family celebration. We’ll be wearing home-made flower
crowns and I will prepare a herb rainbow couscous salad,
using fresh ingredients from the garden for everyone to
enjoy as we toast this special day.”
October 21 Get It Magazine 27

We’re planting …
Roses, because October is rose
month, and this is the perfect
opportunity to plant a new rose that
celebrates the world-renowned South
African opera singer Pretty Yende.
Like its namesake, ‘Pretty Yende’
(LUDkrilbaP) is a powerful performer,
with classically beautiful blooms
of soft apricot-yellow that exude a
delicate perfume. This South African
bred rose by Ludwig Taschner is a
strong growing hybrid tea rose with
glossy green disease-resistant leaves.
The long lasting blooms don’t fade in
the sun, making this an ideal garden
and picking rose for the home.
Details: ludwigsroses.co.za
A new game-changing wheelbarrow
It’s space saving. Light. And user-friendly. Everything a gardener could wish for. We’re
digging this HomeBarrow, which has replaced our old-school, heavy one and has
made life in the garden a whole lot easier. Designed and made locally, it’s ergonomically
designed, with the weight closer to the wheel for easier lifting.
It offers ground level loading, which means you can roll, push or rake straight into the tray.
It has a low center of gravity ... so less ‘tippiness’, and can be emptied with very little effort
- over the front, out the side or pour off the back, whatever style you prefer. Plus, and we
love this one, it has a cleverly-designed swivel wheel steering mechanism, so you will be
taking corners with ease. No more forward, reverse, forward, reverse, forward. Oh, and the
wheel is completely puncture proof, and it has a useful dry pocket.
It’s great for small gardens, for the beach (load up everything and simply push to your
spot on the sand), to ferry wood to the braai, or to use when camping (one trip from car to
tent). And when you’re finished, it simply folds away. It’s just 8kg, stores as a flat pack, and
takes just a couple of nuts and bolts to put it back together again in minutes.
Deliveries nationwide, it costs R995 from homebarrow.com
Garden tasks
for October
• Plant out summer
bedding colour such as
honey-scented alyssum,
red bedding salvia, and old
fashioned favourites like
dahlias, vinca and zinnia.
• Use impatiens ‘Beacon’ or
New Guinea impatiens for
shady areas.
• Water deeply twice a
week and fertilise roses and
bedding plants towards the
middle of October.
• Mulch beds to keep the
soil moist and cool.
• Spread acid compost
underneath azaleas
and hydrangeas.
• Water shrubs and trees if
there is no rainfall.
• Trim spring flowering
shrubs that have
finished flowering.
• Let the lawn grow slightly
longer by setting the lawn
mower higher. This helps
the lawn become more
drought resistant.
28 Get It Magazine October 21

Veggie of the month
Tomatoes are by far and away our most
popular summer veggie. But did you know
that the classic Italian plum tomato - ‘San
Marzano’ (RAW seed) - is considered by
many chefs to be the best in the world? Its
skin is an intense red and peels off easily,
and the flesh is firm and almost seedless.
For the juiciest fruit, grow these tomatoes
in full sun, spaced 50cm apart. The first
fruit should be ready for harvest within 60
to 70 days.
To get the most out of your tomatoes,
follow these top tips ...
• Plant in fertile well-composted soil.
• Space plants well apart for good air
circulation. This helps prevent pests
and diseases.
• Water regularly so that soil remains
consistently moist. Tomato yields suffer if
plants receive irregular watering or dry out
followed by over watering.
• For the sweetest fruit, let it turn red on
the plant. Details: rawliving.co.za
Hands in
the dirt
Did you know that the
Areca palm releases
oxygen at
night and
absorbs carbon
dioxide? So an
exceptional
choice for indoors,
and especially in
bedrooms. Such plants
refresh the air and help us to get a
better night’s sleep. With their graceful,
feathery foliage Areca palms can be used
as an indoor feature plant throughout
the home, even in bathrooms. They
like bright, high light and watering
when the surface of the potting soil
starts to dry out, but don’t let them
stand in water. Details: lvgplant.co.za
Compiled by KYM ARGO and ALICE COTZEE
October 21 Get It Magazine 29

GET IT DIRECTORY

GET IT DIRECTORY
MAG AD OCTOBER 2021.pdf 1 2021/09/16 15:37:22
C
M
Y
CM
MY
CY
CMY
K

Cape Town. Just go!
We forget, sometimes, how extraordinary the Mother City is. But within hours
of arriving, you’re swept up in the cosmopolitan vibe that’s just like nowhere else in
the country. If you haven’t yet booked your Summer holiday ... just go!
There really is something incredibly
exciting about a trip down to Cape
Town. Certainly one of our most
beautiful cities, and a cosmopolitan
vibe that never fails to impress.
From walking along the promenade,
stopping for an ice cream or icedcoffee
at one of the many delis, to
eating out at world class restaurants
to taking a drive along Chapman’s
Peak Drive with its breathtaking views
(a description thrown around lightly
but in this instance truly applicable) ...
a holiday here can be as jam-packed
or laid back as you want it to be.
Best, then, that you choose where
to stay carefully. On a recent visit, we
opted for The Victoria and Alfred
Hotel, and it was perfect. Situated
right on the edge of the water in the
buzzing Waterfront, it’s all endless
views of Cape Town Harbour,
Table Mountain and the dazzling
surrounding city, and most of the
places you’ll want to explore or
adventures you want to experience
are just a stroll, or an Uber drive, away.
Not that you’ll be rushing off in a
hurry. With a pair of comfy chairs
placed just so in front of the massive
windows, it’s no hardship to sit with
a cup of hot coffee or a pot of tea,
gazing out at the harbour. Tugs glide
past, seagulls swoop down to steal
chips off the tables, seals pop their
heads up out of the water to see
what’s going on. On the other side of
the hotel, views are equally as
enchanting ... what with the slick city
and that ‘the mountain’ iconic view.
No need to venture out for first
dinner, either. The hotel offers top
class dining experience at the Ginja
... a grand restaurant in it’s own right.
It’s here you’ll be have breakfast
Text: SAMANTHA FRANKLIN
Location, location, location.
In the Victoria & Alfred Hotel’s case ...
Perfect. Perfect. Perfect.
32 Get It Magazine October 21

too (we strongly suggest, if mother
nature’s playing her part and the
day is glorious, you choose breakfast
outdoors on the water’s edge).
There is, for those who really can’t
help themselves, a fully equipped
gym (for heaven’s sake, relax, you’re
on holiday!). For the more hedonistic
of us, the Sanctuary Signature
Spa beckons. That, followed by an
afternoon lying on a lounger next to
the pool with an icy cocktail, is the
perfect day, really.
Except ... the hotel is perfectly
positioned for exploring.
At least one morning should be
spent strolling along the promenade
... walk from the hotel up to Sea
Point and back. Dog walkers,
runners, dads pushing prams ... it’s
a brilliant introduction to the city
where taking advantage of the
outdoors is a way of life.
On your way back to the hotel,
foodies, market lovers, and the
environmentally-conscious should
stop at the Oranjezicht Market. A. Ma.
Zing. Honestly ... highlight of a Cape
trip! As you enter, you’ll immediately
be swept up into the rhythm of the
place. Filled with local businesses
who sell a range of items, from
cuisine, to plants, to health products,
to raw fruit and vegetables; it truly
lacks nothing. Olive oil, dips, biltong,
samosas, vegan desserts, pumpkin
pancakes, stuffed bao buns, crunchy
bagels, rooibos ice tea, smoothies
and dumplings – bliss. It’s just a
kaleidoscope of mouth-watering
scents and colour and people
A cup of coffee ... and watching
the world go by. Best part of the day!
milling around the stalls, puppies and
children weaving amongst the
organised chaos.
Adrenalin junkies ... you’re next.
Paragliding off of Signal Hill. Signal
Hill is a Cape Town attraction in itself.
Whether visited by day for a picnic
overlooking the entire city, or by night
where this same view is ignited against
the backdrop a velvety black sky, it is a
top notch location for both locals and
visitors. But take it one step further –
literally. Just right off the side. It’s a duo
jump, with licenced flight instructors, so
you need no prior
experience and it’s all very safe ... just a
gentle sail down to Sea Point, that takes
anything between five minutes to half
an hour, depending of the wind. Hot tip:
be sure to include the option of them
filming you ... you’ll want to show this
off to your friends back home.
Room with a view!
An exceptional date night would be a
visit to The Labia Theatre in Gardens.
One of the oldest independent Art
Movie Houses in Cape Town, it’s all
squashy, red reclining seats, brown
popcorn bags, velvet trimmings
with gold finishes, and of course, a
mandatory olden-day movie ticket to
admit you into this swirling fantasy of
a venue, where they show the best
of circuit, independent films, foreign
films, documentaries, and classics, as
well as art circuit films.
There’s just so much more, too. You
could also choose to hike Table
Mountain, Lion’s Head, Devil’s Peak or
Skeleton Gorge. Swim in some of the
most iconic beaches and tidal pools
on the globe, despite the shockingly
cold water. Visit Boulder’s Beach,
where penguins are the majority
populace, or Dalebrook tidal pool
in Kalk Bay, where starfish, kelp and
baby octopus are in abundance.
Take a heli flip over the city, go on an
eco-friendly shark diving trip, or take
a Robben Island tour. Shop in vintage
shops, go for walks in Newlands forest,
jog along the green belt or watch a
performance at the Baxter Theatre.
There’s a reason why the Mother
City is an international drawcard for
tourists ... it really comes out tops on
our must-visit-this-year list.
The hotel’s concierge will have
details and help you with any
tours or adventures you may want
to experience.
Details: newmarkhotels.com/places/
hotels/victoria-alfred-hotel
October 21 Get It Magazine 33

Spoil
October
I Want Choo (we really do!)
What’s the best part about a Friday night out with the girls? Always has been, always will be, getting ready together.
All music and lipstick and curlers and wine and fragrance. Oh, just clouds of scent sprayed generously before you all
pick up your clutches and phones and walk out the door. It’s this glamour and spirit and girl-confidence and sheer joy
that’s been captured in the latest Jimmy Choo fragrance - I Want Choo. A powerful oriental floral fragrance, it’s high
octane style, elegant and playful. From R1099. Let’s make this an I Want Choo month. We’re giving away a bottle
of joy ... pop over to our Facebook page (@getitjoburgnorth) or Instagram page (@get_it_joburg_north) to
enter. Entries close on Oct 25, winner selected from all our social media platforms.
34 Get It Magazine October 21