Waking up to the sound of birds chirping faintly in the background. You've just had the most relaxing sleep on a gigantic king size bed, lying on a cozy electric blanket. You get up, freshen up in the en suite bathroom then make your way to the lounge area of the cottage. You go straight for the curtain that covers the huge glass doors to the patio. Unlike any other patio, yours comprises of a cute little wooden stoep surrounded by a brimming dam. In the distance you see a picture picture backdrop of trees, some covered in sparse autumn leaves and some as green as emeralds. As you open the glass door you feel the midlands chill - first the cold hits your lips then your nose then your whole body. But the cold fresh air makes you feel alive.
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Saturday night is curry night at Vasco's restaurant in the Hilton Hotel Durban with their Curry Cup buffet. Is there any other food you'd want to dig into on a Saturday in a city known for its rich Indian cuisine? I think not ;)
With summer around the corner, it's no surprise if you're looking at hair removal options that are the most effective and efficient.
Shaving? Only last like 2 days and leaves you with the worse stubble.
Waxing? Lasts a week which is great but then you have to wait another 2 or 3 weeks for the hair to be long enough to wax again - which means 2 or 3 weeks of hairy legs. So not cool for summer beach days.
There are other options like tweezing, threading and sugaring but these are more for specific areas like brows.
As you can tell from the title of this post, we're going to look specifically at laser hair removal.
I gave laser hair removal a try 2 years ago but I messed up one fundamental thing - you need to be consistent with it. I started it again a few months ago and this time I'm hoping to go all in.
I asked Mariam Joosab from Simply Laser for her expert opinion on all your most commonly asked questions and some specific questions I got on my instagram stories.
The Girl Boss series aims to highlight the achievements of women just like you and me who are doing amazing things. Hopefully their stories will inspire you as much as they inspire me. This week we chat to Valencia Bogdanovic, a qualified cosmologist and content creator/blogger behind Style Your Confidence Now.
When you think of going to the movies, chances are the first thing that comes to mind is popcorn. And while that's great and all, what about having a freshly made muffin and cappuccino? Even better wouldn't it be nice to order that cappuccino and have it brought to your during the movie so that you can enjoy a hot coffee when the action begins and not just finish it while you're watching the 101 trailers?
Wouldn't it be even better to have a huge comfy seat that you can make yourself comfortable in, be able to recline in your seat and have a more intimate cinema experience?
Wouldn't it be even better to have a huge comfy seat that you can make yourself comfortable in, be able to recline in your seat and have a more intimate cinema experience?
The Girl Boss series aims to highlight the achievements of women just like you and me who are doing amazing things. Hopefully their stories will inspire you as much as they inspire me. This week we chat to Zahra Dada, the digital entrepreneur behind Livalil.
When it comes to steak houses I can be as picky as the next person. You want your steak to be extra juicy and just the right texture, right? I was recently invited to experience a meal at Hussar Grill - regarded as one of the premium grill rooms in South Africa - a restaurant I've had my eye on for a while, and decided to give their steak a try. They have branches throughout the country and I tried out the Hussar Grill in Gateway, Durban.
The restaurant is located at Gateway Theatre of Shopping in Umhlanga, Durban. Being located in Gateway Boulevard with so many restaurants around, it takes a special restaurant to stand out and Hussar Grill does just that.
Here is a list of all the branches:
Western Cape: Camps Bay, Durbanville, Franschhoek, George, GrandWest, Mouille Point, Paarl, Rondebosch, Somerset West, Steenberg, Stellenbosch, Willowbridge, Worcester
Saudi Arabia: Khobar
Walls of books from a time passed, line the restaurant - I spotted everything from volumes of the World Book, all kinds of Encyclopedia's as well as Popular Mechanics books that could easily be over 50 years old. In sections, you'll find bottles of wine and wine glasses on the shelves, overall giving it a very cosy feel.
On the other hand, the entrance leads you straight to the bar - where I clearly felt right at home ;)
Deciding on what to eat was so difficult because for any meat lover, the options are incredibly appertising. They also do a lot of house specialties, a few of which are on my list to try out the next time I visit.
I ended up having 3 starters so I can share on a few different options.
To nibble while I properly looked through the menu, I chose the biltong. It made me wonder, why don't more restaurants have biltong on the menu?? I love that they had the option! And biltong as a pre-starter is so satisfying.
This option consists of sweet queen prawn meat covered in their Marie Rose sauce on a bed of greens (Yes, with avo). As a cold option, it's a good summer starter however, in winter I prefer something warm to start off.
Now this was my favourite part of the whole meal - and literally what I've been craving ever since! It consists of double cream Bechamel studded with beef jus and beef bits, then crumbed and deep fried with Dijon mustard on the side. Holy cow (no pun intended) this was DELICIOUS on another level! The texture is crispy on the outside and soft and creamy on the inside. And it made my taste buds so happy.
Choosing a main from 3 pages of meat options, most of which sound unique in some way and many of which are specialties is such a difficult task. I walked in knowing I want a simple Sirloin steak and while questioning all the scrumptious sounding options, ended up going with my gut feeling.
I chose a simple sirloin steak (medium) with a mushroom sauce and mash. Should I have chosen one of their specialty dishes? Probably, especially given most of them sounded amazing. It was a good steak, but not the best I've had. The texture and sauce were perfect but the flavour lacked a bit. On the other hand my choice of potato mash on the side complimented it nicely. I usually order wine with my steak but because I was driving opted not to but I've heard such good things about their house wines that I definitely will try next time.
My partner ordered the Hussar Carpetbagger, one of their house specialties. It consists of a fillet mignon stuffed with a combination of smoked oysters, cheddar cheese and topped off with a brandy and wholegrain mustard sauce. The fillet steak was tender and succulent and together with the sauce, very flavour-rich. However, whether the combination of oysters and steak compliment each other will probably depend on your personal taste - it's a bit of an aquired taste combination.
I always end up having cheese cake or lemon meringue for dessert so I'm quite the expert at comparing different restaurants offering of the 2. There's also the option of a Chocolate Vodka Martini as a Signature Dessert on the menu, which I want to try next time. While I didn't get to taste it, my partner had the Creme Brulee and thoroughly enjoyed it.
Described as "Velvety smooth cheesecake atop a traditional buttery biscuit crust and baked to perfection" - don't these words just make your mouth water! You know that aunty in your family that loves to bake and makes the best dessert for family occassions and functions? This cheesecake tastes like my aunty made it. It's absolutely velvety and buttery melt-in-your-mouth cheesecake. It also isn't too rich or sweet and served in a huge slice, that's perfect for 2 or even 3 people.
The food was delicious with clearly a lot of heart being put into its preparation. The staff were phenomenal! I also have to mention the food was ready so quickly - the main came just 10 minutes after ordering, so it's a great option if you're in a bit of a hurry.
Fun fact: On the day prior to my visit, there was a petty theft with some of the table clothes having been stolen (As they were delivered outside the restaurant). The funny thing is, I hadn't even noticed it. But the manager made a point of apologising for it immediately - I thought it was part of the aesthetic since the lovely green tables matched the seats anyway!
These are my personal ratings based on the above experience. It is of course subjective.
Location: 10
Ambiance: 8
Food: 8
Service: 9
Location
The restaurant is located at Gateway Theatre of Shopping in Umhlanga, Durban. Being located in Gateway Boulevard with so many restaurants around, it takes a special restaurant to stand out and Hussar Grill does just that.
Here is a list of all the branches:
Western Cape: Camps Bay, Durbanville, Franschhoek, George, GrandWest, Mouille Point, Paarl, Rondebosch, Somerset West, Steenberg, Stellenbosch, Willowbridge, Worcester
Gauteng: Midrand - Waterfall, Montecasino, Morningside, The Grove
KZN: Gateway, Kloof
Eastern Cape: Walmer
Zambia: Lusaka
Saudi Arabia: Khobar
Ambiance
Walls of books from a time passed, line the restaurant - I spotted everything from volumes of the World Book, all kinds of Encyclopedia's as well as Popular Mechanics books that could easily be over 50 years old. In sections, you'll find bottles of wine and wine glasses on the shelves, overall giving it a very cosy feel.
On the other hand, the entrance leads you straight to the bar - where I clearly felt right at home ;)
Food
Deciding on what to eat was so difficult because for any meat lover, the options are incredibly appertising. They also do a lot of house specialties, a few of which are on my list to try out the next time I visit.
Starters
I ended up having 3 starters so I can share on a few different options.
Starter: Hussar Beef Biltong
To nibble while I properly looked through the menu, I chose the biltong. It made me wonder, why don't more restaurants have biltong on the menu?? I love that they had the option! And biltong as a pre-starter is so satisfying.
Starter: Prawn and Fresh Avo Cocktail
This option consists of sweet queen prawn meat covered in their Marie Rose sauce on a bed of greens (Yes, with avo). As a cold option, it's a good summer starter however, in winter I prefer something warm to start off.
Starter: Hollandse Bitterballen
Now this was my favourite part of the whole meal - and literally what I've been craving ever since! It consists of double cream Bechamel studded with beef jus and beef bits, then crumbed and deep fried with Dijon mustard on the side. Holy cow (no pun intended) this was DELICIOUS on another level! The texture is crispy on the outside and soft and creamy on the inside. And it made my taste buds so happy.
Mains
Choosing a main from 3 pages of meat options, most of which sound unique in some way and many of which are specialties is such a difficult task. I walked in knowing I want a simple Sirloin steak and while questioning all the scrumptious sounding options, ended up going with my gut feeling.
Main: Sirloin Steak
I chose a simple sirloin steak (medium) with a mushroom sauce and mash. Should I have chosen one of their specialty dishes? Probably, especially given most of them sounded amazing. It was a good steak, but not the best I've had. The texture and sauce were perfect but the flavour lacked a bit. On the other hand my choice of potato mash on the side complimented it nicely. I usually order wine with my steak but because I was driving opted not to but I've heard such good things about their house wines that I definitely will try next time.
Main: Hussar Carpetbagger
My partner ordered the Hussar Carpetbagger, one of their house specialties. It consists of a fillet mignon stuffed with a combination of smoked oysters, cheddar cheese and topped off with a brandy and wholegrain mustard sauce. The fillet steak was tender and succulent and together with the sauce, very flavour-rich. However, whether the combination of oysters and steak compliment each other will probably depend on your personal taste - it's a bit of an aquired taste combination.
Dessert
I always end up having cheese cake or lemon meringue for dessert so I'm quite the expert at comparing different restaurants offering of the 2. There's also the option of a Chocolate Vodka Martini as a Signature Dessert on the menu, which I want to try next time. While I didn't get to taste it, my partner had the Creme Brulee and thoroughly enjoyed it.
Dessert: Baked Cheese Cake
Described as "Velvety smooth cheesecake atop a traditional buttery biscuit crust and baked to perfection" - don't these words just make your mouth water! You know that aunty in your family that loves to bake and makes the best dessert for family occassions and functions? This cheesecake tastes like my aunty made it. It's absolutely velvety and buttery melt-in-your-mouth cheesecake. It also isn't too rich or sweet and served in a huge slice, that's perfect for 2 or even 3 people.
Overall
The food was delicious with clearly a lot of heart being put into its preparation. The staff were phenomenal! I also have to mention the food was ready so quickly - the main came just 10 minutes after ordering, so it's a great option if you're in a bit of a hurry.
Fun fact: On the day prior to my visit, there was a petty theft with some of the table clothes having been stolen (As they were delivered outside the restaurant). The funny thing is, I hadn't even noticed it. But the manager made a point of apologising for it immediately - I thought it was part of the aesthetic since the lovely green tables matched the seats anyway!
Rating
These are my personal ratings based on the above experience. It is of course subjective.
Location: 10
Ambiance: 8
Food: 8
Service: 9
"Immerse yourself in a life that moves you, because what you surround yourself with is what becomes your life."
-Aurelia Nxumalo, Lawyer and Influencer
The Wear You movement, by ethnic haircare brand Sta-Sof-Fro, is a meeting of the minds of women from all walks of life, with one thing in common- they are real women living in the real world. The seminar aims to celebrate #versatyle women, while imparting and sharing a wealth of knowledge about various key topics.
It took place in Durban on the 27th of July 2019 and takes place in Johannesburg on 31 August 2019 as a full day seminar consisting of masterclasses by 13 powerhouse women as well as a panel discussion, Q&A and cocktail networking session. I attended the Durban one and the whole day was filled with a wealth of knowledge and inspiration and I thought I'd share some of the lessons I learnt with you.
Lessons in Life, Money and Business
You don't have to be a "POWER BITCH", you can still be kind. Nowadays the empowered "boss' women is seen as being ruthless and savage, doing everything she can to reach the top. Having ambition doesn't have to translate to being mean. You can still show kindness and gentleness on your journey.
You need to know what you don't want even if you don't know what you want. The world is full of distractions and things that take us off the course we're supposed to be on. But we need to know when to say no to these things that aren't right for us and find things worth putting our time and energy into.
Know where you stand - your positioning is a compass that will guide you.
TELL people what you do. We put so much thought into personal branding and yet miss the most important step - we have to actually tell people and make it clear to them what we do and what we want. Don't give them room to guess and come up with their own assumptions.
Read the requirements of the next job you want. It's as easy as looking on jobs sites like indeed.com. Use those requirements as a guideline as to what you need to do to get there.
There was also a lot of practical financial advice I took from the day:
There's NO SHAME in going back home and starting over (Now this hit so close to home for me!)
Make SURE you have an emergency fund - at least 30% of your income and importantly money that is liquid and you can access in 24 hours
Be financially disciplined. If you didn't have support from your spouse/parents do you make enough money to maintain your lifestyle?
Act your wage - whether you earn R5k or R50k if you don't have a good relationship with money you'll always be broke. No matter how much you earn, it comes down to the same principles.
And to end off on a lighter note - "Girl, focus on your money. It won't wake up one morning and decide it doesn't love you."
P.S at the event we also got the cutest 2020 diaries filled with wise quotes and motivation. Here are some of my favourite quotes:
"When we truly step into our power, there is no predicting the heights we can reach."
- Dr. Nandipha Sekeleni
"Don't compare your life to others. There is no comparison between the sun and moon, they shine when it's their time."
- Nelisiwe Masango
"It doesn't matter how good or talented you are, I can promise you this, you will fail more times than you will succeed and you will need to be okay and prepared for that eventuality. Sometimes the failures will be private and other times they won't be. Be prepared."
- Nandi Dlepu
The difference between success and failure is in taking the initiative. The Girl Boss series aims to highlight the achievements of women just like you and me who are doing amazing things. Hopefully their stories will inspire you as much as they inspire me. This week we chat to Misha Lee, a mega talented photographer and creative entrepreneur.
Cetaphil is well known in the skincare space for affordable
products that hydrate, replenish and protect. They have a few new products on
the market, which I’ll give you a review of after having trialed them for about
a month.
With a tagline like “Born ‘n bread in KZN” you know it’s
going to be good. It’s time for BB Bakeries second annual Some Bunny To Love
food truck to hit the streets of Durban, South Africa.
What is it?
The BB Bakeries food truck will be stationed at different
places in Durban serving delicious food and supporting local artists and
businesses. You can have a quick lunch or dinner at the truck and, on specific
days, enjoy the live entertainment too.
Why?
BB Bakeries is all about supporting what’s local and loved
in KZN. Combining BB Bakeries unsliced white bread with traditional Durban
curries, you get to have an authentic Natal experience.
BB Bakeries is local to KZN and prioritise the use of
quality ingredients and manufacturing. They are a true homegrown brand – and as
such give back to the local community.
Food menu
This year they’ve definitely upped their game with the menu.
The Some Bunny To Love food truck menu:
- BB Bunny Chow Classics: A KZN favourite served with the best-loved local loaf and a side of Cheesy Bread Sticks. With the option of three popular curries, Chicken, Mutton or Bean
- BB Squares ‘Rising Stars’: A curry filled deep fried BB square delight With the option of a chicken, mutton or bean filling
- BB Squares Encore: A dessert filled deep fried BB square treat served with whipped cream and butterscotch sauce With the option of a raisin and cinnamon or baked apple and cinnamon filling.
The experience
My #SomeBunnyToLove experience was close to my heart – you don’t
get anymore Durban than this. I went to the BB Bakeries Bunny Chow Love food
truck on Friday, 3 July on Florida exchange (Behind Starbucks). The vibe was eccentric
with Darren Mule of East Coast radio providing entertainment and good vibes.
Soon after, Easy Freak, treated the audience to a performance and the night was
filled with laughter, beautiful music and the smell of authentic Durban
curries.
Don’t take my word for it – see for yourself! Here is the
schedule for the duration that the BB Bakeries food truck is in town:
Florida Road: 2nd –14th July (Closed on Mondays)
Live performances
3rd July: -Jonty Hartwig (5pm-6pm) -Easy Freak (7pm -8pm)
5th July: Robin 3rd Floor (6pm –7pm)
12th July: Holly Rey (6pm –7pm)
Chatsworth Centre: 16th – 27th July (Closed on Mondays)
Live Performances and Talent Competition
20th July: - Celestial
Mic (12pm –1pm) -Talent Competition (1pm-3pm) people can come and perform for
spot prizes (JBL Wireless headphones, speakers and BB Food Vouchers) - Deshan
Styler(3pm-4pm)
Suncoast: 28th July Sunday Beats
Looking for accommodation in Johannesburg? The Capital
Melrose is part of The Capital Hotels and Apartments group and is located next
to the Melrose Arch precinct in Johannesburg. The hotel only recently opened on
1 May 2019.
I stayed in the 1 bedroom apartment at the Capital Melrose
recently and here’s everything you need to know about the hotel.
On a cold 10 degree Monday night I went to Lanser's on Main for dinner. Greeted by Lanser himself and served by him and his friendly staff, my night just got better and better.
LOCATION
Lanser's on Main is located in Bryanston in the Sandton region in Johannesburg. It's just off the main road. The restaurant is in an easy to find complex and has secure parking outside.
AMBIANCE
The ambiance is old school French and Italian. The decor is warm and inviting and has lots of cute elements like the empty frames on the walls. The music is calm and just softly in the background allowing you to engage in conversation. While it makes the perfect date night restaurant, unlike many others it's warm and inviting making you feel right at home.
FOOD
A unique element to Lanser's on Main is that their menu isn't "set in stone". They often have specials and options that aren't on the menu. Their menu is also very diverse with lots of different options for any craving.
Starter: Clam Chowder
This is an option that wasn't on the menu and was part of the night's specials. Clam chowder is a chowder soup containing clams and broth, and a few other vegetables. It was also my first time having clam chowder. The soup was filled with such rich tastes and flavors and the clams were delicious. However, I didn't particularly enjoy the diced potato (and there was a lot of it). Would I have it again? Yes, I would just ask them to hold back on the potato.
Main: Pork Belly
Again, I was being adventurous and having something I wouldn't usually. I don't eat pork often at all but Lanser himself recommended it so I have it a try. It consisted of a crisp pork belly, roasted potatoes, vegetables and a pineapple honey glazed sauce. Personally I don't think I'm much of a pork person (The texture is a bit weird for me) BUT however it is something I'd like to have once in a while and especially in the style it was served at Lanser's on Main. The honey glazed sauce blew me away, it added so much flavor to the meal.
Main: Steak
My partner had steak, medium to rare, and enjoyed it thoroughly. Again, the flavors were rich and complemented the steak perfectly. It was also a large portion that included veggies and french fries.
Dessert: Lemon Meringue
I ordered the lemon meringue for dessert (My usual is either cheesecake and lemon meringue). The portion size was huge - so much so we had to share it and still didn't finish it! It tasted fresh and delicious. It was however a bit sweeter than I would have wanted it to be.
OVERALL
Overall, Lanser's on Main is perfect for a date night. The ambiance puts you at ease and the attention to detail is memorable. The food was lovely and they have so many different options to suit any preference.
RATING
These are my personal ratings based on the above experience. It is of course subjective.
LOCATION: 8
AMBIANCE: 10
FOOD: 8
I started the South Africa Small Towns Holiday Guide Series as a way to show off the best small town getaways in SA. Too often people focus on the big cities for holidays and don't take advantage of the amazing small towns.
I've discovered some hidden gems all around the country, all near major cities, which make them perfect for day trips or long weekend getaways.
To start off the series I have a Midlands Meander Travel Guide, Hartebeespoort Travel Guide and KZN South Coast Travel Guide. Next on the agenda is possibly a Stellenbosch Travel Guide and Clarens Travel Guide so let me know if you enjoy this series!
I've discovered some hidden gems all around the country, all near major cities, which make them perfect for day trips or long weekend getaways.
To start off the series I have a Midlands Meander Travel Guide, Hartebeespoort Travel Guide and KZN South Coast Travel Guide. Next on the agenda is possibly a Stellenbosch Travel Guide and Clarens Travel Guide so let me know if you enjoy this series!
I started the South Africa Small Towns Holiday Guide Series as a way to show off the best small town getaways in SA. Too often people focus on the big cities for holidays and don't take advantage of the amazing small towns.
I've discovered some hidden gems all around the country, all near major cities, which make them perfect for day trips or long weekend getaways.
To start off the series I have a Midlands Meander Travel Guide, Hartebeespoort Travel Guide and KZN South Coast Travel Guide. Next on the agenda is a Stellenbosch Travel Guide and Clarens Travel Guide so let me know if you enjoy this series!
I've discovered some hidden gems all around the country, all near major cities, which make them perfect for day trips or long weekend getaways.
To start off the series I have a Midlands Meander Travel Guide, Hartebeespoort Travel Guide and KZN South Coast Travel Guide. Next on the agenda is a Stellenbosch Travel Guide and Clarens Travel Guide so let me know if you enjoy this series!
Now let's not get ahead of ourselves, my "everyday makeup look" is no makeup. I don't wear makeup everyday especially not to work or when I'm just going to be home. But some days if I'm going shopping or feel like looking pretty or being creative I'll do my makeup. These are some of the products I'll use as well as some suggestions.
Since 2016 I've had almost every hair color under the sun - black (natural), brown, blonde, ginger, red and even purple. I've been fully embracing the different hair dying trends of our time (Platinum blonde, I've got my eyes on you). I won't even deny that this has led to my hair getting very damaged. Luckily for me, my hair is very thick and hasn't thinned due to it but it's definitely gotten more dry and doesn't look as healthy as before.
If you follow me on Instagram (@lifebyashasingh - do the things!) you'll probably already know what I wore on my UAE trip. With Dubai being such a popular holiday destination, I know this is something most people aren't really sure about. So I'll break it down for you and show you what I wore.
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