What is #shoot4purpose all about?

This initiative is a healing process for women who have faced some sort of trauma that they struggle to overcome. The first morning that I arrived I checked every one out. Most of us was a bit reserved, but by the end of Week 3 there was a closeness, a sisterhood amongst everyone. Even a bit of a brotherhood with the guys. On each of the days there was always a visitor or two who joined in with the group. The one day it was Hein, our Fujifilm sponsor, and some guy (can’t remember his name) who has met the organizers before on one of the cohorts and joined in because he supports the cause. Some of the ladies that was part of previous groups, also joined in. A clear sign: once part of a cohort, always part of a cohort!

Does it work?

The amazing thing about #shoot4purpose is that one can see each week how the participants grew in confidence, how they get excited about the photo moments. Even the one who doesn’t do people, actually did quite well . . . with the people in the group. I am amazed by how everyone’s photographic skills has developed over the past 4 weeks . . . and now we are doing our 5th and last week this coming Saturday. I’m already wondering what the heck will I do the Saturday after this one.

What have I learnt this passed few weeks?

Everything is not always what it looks like on the surface.

When I joined the group it was clear that the organizers and advisors are all seemingly from the same / similar cultural background. The amazing thing is . . . in true ubuntu style #shoot4purpose is open to everyone no matter your cultural background.

The only ‘equalizer’ here is that we all are part of #shoot4purpose for a purpose of healing from something. As I looked at each woman in the group and see how they flourished, grown in the past few weeks, I’m sad to think that we will not see each other every week anymore, but I will surely go back to visit #shoot4purpose on one of their cohorts again.

What did we do?

We took photos with the most amazing Fujifilm cameras, sponsored for use by Hein from Fujifilm South Africa. I totally fell in love with Fujifilm cameras, but photography is a really expensive hobby if your not making a living with it.

Oh yes, and we took black and white photos. Something I had to adapt to as I love bright colors. I had to learn to look at things differently and it is amazing how one’s perspective changes when you suddenly look at a black and white world. It is amazing how the whole image changes when you look at it differently, what pops out once you take the distractive brightness away.

Here is a bit of a comparison between color photographs and black and white photographs.

What happened to me?

If you know me well enough, you know that I don’t do photos as I don’t like seeing myself on photos and these past few weeks I had to deal with being on photos that other people took and that it was spread all over social media!! I absolutely HATE photos of myself. I hate what I see. What I can say, though, it surely looks much better in black and white!! 🙂

This coming weekend will be our last Saturday of going out taking pictures in this group – cohort 9. It’s kind of a sad thing, but new friendships have started and I hope that sometime in the future we will all go out on a street photography date again and catch up!

Que Sera, Sera!

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DuPreez Strauss returns home from his last World Tour of Lion King. He will be bringing you your happiest childhood animation feature film music memories – like you’ve bever heard them before.For the last 14 years DuPreez Strauss has been Associate Music Director and Orchestra Conductor of Disney’s “The Lion King” Musical in 8 countries – and counting. This theatre show is officially the most successful work of art in history, in any medium (which means it’s far bigger than any singer or film, ever). For DuPreez the miracle of Disney’s success is that for 100 years now it has changed people’s lives with positive, constructive and healthy content. DREAMLAND is an invitation to the whole family to come and experience your favourite memories in a whole new way with world-class piano interpretations of the best feature film music ever, and DuPreez’s captivating retelling of his personal experiences with these musical works of art. ‘Musically stunning’ – Chris Avant-Smith (Naledi Judge)  ‘…astounding piano playing’ – Andre’ Schwartz (award winning musician)  ‘Glorious magic’ – Jason Aarons (Journalist) ‘Enchanting’ – Volksblad (Media 24)  ‘Strauss combines skill, passion & sincerity’ – Bruce Denhill (Critic and Music Awards Judge) 

Thu 31st Aug 7:30pm • Fri 1st Sep 7:30pm • Sat 2nd Sep 3pm • Sun 3rd Sep 4pm • Thu 7th Sep 7:30pm • Fri 8th Sep 7:30pm • Sat 9th Sep 3pm • Sun 10th Sep 4pm

10 Comprop Sq, Henry Vos Close, Asla Business Park, Strand, Cape Town
 073.215.2290

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About just over a month ago I attended a book discussion at a local library. Someone walked up to me and said something like “you look great, but your profile picture sucks”! Ouch! At the time I wasn’t sure if I should consider it a compliment or not? Afterwards, I realised it was actually a compliment! Being a plane Jane, hardly wearing makeup and with no hairdo skills, it surely was a compliment.

I posted something on my Facebook page and said something like: I think I need makeover! Who will sponsor me? In a flash there was a hairdresser and before I knew what was going on she organised a photographer, a nail technician and a make up artist. I even had clothes sponsored for the photo session.

My only requirement was that I had to easily duplicate what they do: be able to do my make up the same, as well as do my hair easily – I have hair as difficult as my attitude! It felt absolutely great to be spoiled by everyone.

Thank you to all my SPONSORS. This makeover could not have happened without you girls! You all ROCK! I still think you should work on a package for the occasional makeovers! It is so good for one’s self confidence.

Carien from The CaveMan Cut for the fabulous color, botox treatment and hair cut!

Angelique from Angelic Beauty for my beautiful make up!

Luzanne from Inge Myburgh Studio for my gorgeous acrylic gel overlay in my favorite blue!

Mandy from Frozen Perfect Photography for my amazing photos. You just knew how to make me feel at ease. Thank you.

Kyla, all the way in the West Coast, from The Lash Flash … Lash Bar and Beauty Parlour for my beautiful lashes and powder brows. I’ll take a drive to the West Coast again for your professional service!

Seline from Seline’s Boutique for the beautiful outfits for our photo shoot!! It is so difficult to choose clothes when you are budget restricted, because you just want everything!

Here is some photos of the process and the end result … I think the photos speak for itself! I had a great day and the change is so good!

All these lovely outfits is from Seline’s Boutique in Joostenbergvlakte. I already purchased one of these items, and am looking forward to some more shopping.

This is not the last of the makeover … keep watching this space for more to come in the next few months!

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Surene from West Coast Happening and Annette from Cape Town Happening had the privilege to represent Happening Media at MasterChef SA’s Earth Hour Dinner on Saturday, 26 March 2022. What an increble vibe among the contestants, media and other guests. It was my first MNet event and everyone made me feel so welcome, almost like family!

Our menu was absolutely incredible and was prepared by Chefs Mmabatho Molefe and Bertus Basson. Here is the fabulous menu:

Canapé – Chicken Liver Truffle with Onion Jam, Cocoa Nib and Chololate Crumb

Bread Service – Mosbolletjie, Garlic & Rosemary Potbrood with whipped Butter and “Die Opsitkers”, Amma’s Plant-based cultured Cashew Butter, Cream of the Crop Butter

Starter – Denning Glazed Aubergine, Cape Malay Curry Pickle, Macadamia Nut, Pickled Dune Spinach, Cucumber, Coriander & Mint

Mains – Lamb Rump, Crispy Lamb Rib, Black Figs, Cider Braised Onions, Confit Garlic, “Rys, vleis en aartappels”, Bruleed Gem Squash, Shaved Courgette and Olive Salad.

Desert – Sorghum Biscuit Sandwich with Bitter Orange, Banana Caramel and Amarula, which was followed by PIENAAR & SON UGLY GIN DIGESTIF

#MNETTV #MASTERCHEFSA #EARTHHOURDINNER #EARTHHOUR

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From the moment we walked into The Penthouse we enjoyed sheer luxury. I still can’t decide what the best part of The Penthouse was, but for now I will go with the glorious views we enjoyed.

The Penthouse is perfectly located right on the beach offering its visitors the perfect setting to enjoy the breathtaking view from the enclosed balcony while sipping on your favorite drink.

Read more HERE

The Penthouse has two beautiful bedrooms and two bathrooms. The main bedroom has direct access to the sundeck. The sundeck provides direct access to the beach as well. The second bedroom with two single beds has its own en suite bathroom with a shower.

The unit has a fully equipped kitchen if you want to prepare your own meals, a dining area and a very comfortable lounge area with a television and full DSTV.  With enough to do and wanting to be out and about, we never put the TV on … there was no need for it!

The view from the Penthouse is breathtaking – any time of the day. My favorite part of the day, however, will always be the sunsets.  

Enjoy Paternoster by taking a leisurely stroll along the beach. Some of the restaurants are also within walking distance from The Penthouse. There are plenty to do in Paternoster as you can visit some of the many restaurants, the At Botha Art Gallery or any of the nearby towns. Some activities to enjoy is kayaking with Kayaking Paternoster or the WOWeBikes.

The Baywatch Villa Collection consists of the 4 star Baywatch Guest House, The Penthouse, The Villa and The Cottage.

CONTACT THE BAYWATCH COLLECTION ON: info@baywatchvilla.co.za, 083 6759332 or 022 752 2039 and visit their website: www.baywatchvilla.co.za

Paternoster is truly a little taste of heaven on earth.

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The one-woman show starring Natasha Sutherland as Shirley Valentine has left me speechless last night.  I have always loved Natasha as an actress, but being Shirley – she is absolutely phenomenal. Yes, she did not play the role of Shirley, Natasha is Shirley.

Shirley Valentine is a middle-aged bored housewife from Liverpool feeling trapped in her life. She’s talking to the wall, while preparing chip ‘n’ egg for her husband, wondering what happened to her life. She compares her current situation as Shirley Bradshaw with how she was as Shirley Valentine.

Her best friend, Jane, who won a trip for two, invites Shirley to Greece with her and she ends up meeting a local man, Costas, who just wants to “fock” with her. He boosts her self-confidence with all his attention. She decides to stay in Greece a while longer when her friend returns home and found a job at Costas local pub, while he continues hunting for new holiday romances. The story ends romantically with her sitting at a table on the beach with a glass of wine and her husband comes to fetch her and take her back home, after he realised that she has no plans of returning home soon.

Natasha does an excellent British accent and kept it going throughout the whole play. She also successfully switched roles when needed and I enjoyed this show thoroughly. If time allowed it, I would have watched it again.

One of my favourite quotes of the movie is:

Shirley Valentine : You kissed my stretch marks!

Costas Caldes : Don’t, don’t be too stupid to try to hide these lines. They, they are lovely, because they are part of you, and you are lovely, so don’t, don’t hide, be proud. Sure. These marks show that, that you are alive, that you survive. Don’t try to hide these lines. They are the marks of life.

From the play: Shirley Valentine

If I have to say more now, there is nothing left for you to go and enjoy yourself. If you haven’t booked your ticket for Shirley Valentine at Theatre on the Bay yet, please do so right here.

See more fabulous quotes from the movie right here.

I give this show 6 stars! Yes, 6 out of 5!

BOOKINGS COMPUTICKET

THEATRE ON THE BAY, CAMPS BAY

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“After the doctor told me I was dying, and after the man I married said he didn’t love me anymore, I chased a miracle in California and sixteen weeks later, I got it. The cancer was gone. But when my brain caught up with it all, something broke. I later found out that all the tragedy at once had caused a physical head trauma, and my brain was sending false signals of excruciating pain and panic…

I am God’s downstairs neighbor, banging on the ceiling with a broomstick. I show up at His door every day. Sometimes with songs, sometimes with curses. Sometimes apologies, gifts, questions, demands. Sometimes I use my key under the mat to let myself in. Other times, I sulk outside until He opens the door to me Himself.

I have called Him a cheat and a liar, and I meant it. I have told Him I wanted to die, and I meant it. Tears have become the only prayer I know. Prayers roll over my nostrils and drip down my forearms. They fall to the ground as I reach for Him. These are the prayers I repeat night and day; sunrise, sunset.

Call me bitter if you want to—that’s fair. Count me among the angry, the cynical, the offended, the hardened. But count me also among the friends of God. For I have seen Him in rare form. I have felt His exhale, laid in His shadow, squinted to read the message He wrote for me in the grout: “I’m sad too.”

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The hosts, Joany and Willem Lubbe, outdone themselves with these modern units with evertyhing you need available … and enough wine glasses to cater for your need of red or white wine, even with a few shot glasses available for the lovers of shooters. Oh, yes, there are glasses for cooldrink and coffee mugs, too!

The moment I walked through The Dolphine Suite I fell in love with this place. I love space and there is more than enough space … for me. I am not sure if I would want to share the space with more than one person. It is definitely big enough for a couple and the ideal place for a romantic escape.

I arrived Friday late afternoon and since it was a working weekend for me, I have decided to buy easy food … preparing a large bowl of salad and just add the required protein for each meal. This left me with a lot of time to work on the manuscript (more about this after the Hermanus weekend), as well as enjoying the splendid view from the balcony with a glass of wine and great walks in the morning.

My Saturday view after my early morning walk and in between some work done.

Saturday morning I walked part of the well-known Schaap Island Hiking Trail. Follow the tag and enjoy the post on West Coast Way. Next time I will walk the full route so that I can establish exactly what the distance of the full route is … and I will take better photos as well.

What I like about Yzerfontein is that everywhere you will find the notice boards indicating that dog owners have to pick up their doggies poop, and at many places there are even holders with poop bags. Saturday night was sort of a bummer when most of these bag holders were empty … Note to yourself: bring your own poop bags from home. (No, I did not have a doggy with me.)

Late Saturday afternoon I enjoyed a walk on the famous 16 mile beach and bought the best Latte ever at the Breeze Café Yzerfontein (contact details on the web link). The Breeze Café is a mobile coffee truck with a large menu to choose from.

I’m a creature of habit and predictable … I always choose a Latte. Sunday morning after I’ve checked out, I drove down to the beach for a last walk, a Latte and the most delicious Millionaire’s biscuit. Next time when I go to Yzerfontein, I’ll go and buy the Millionaire’s biscuit first!! Yummy-Yum!!!

And yes, there will most definitely be a next time. Thank you to my hosts who replied on my plea for single accommodation and being the only to offer me a single rate per night for the weekend. I will definitely return to Amazing Seaview and have already recommended them to a few friends.

How will I rate them? I had a five star experience and therefore they deserve nothing less than 5 stars! Thank you Joany & Willem, may you be blessed to share this extraordinary experience with a lot more people.

PS: What does Yzerfontein need? Single, affordable accommodation – sometimes people just want to have some alone time and a woman on her own wants to feel safe as well.

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