My 32nd birthday brunches, fancy dins, sriracha splashes & design delights

Yes, I’m 32 now. Yes, I had a wonderful day and yes, I feel old and even though I had the day off work, it’s been a very long week. Maybe some of the pics below will help explain why…

Saturday, 13 February 2016: Frittatas, waffles and pulled pork burgers

Saturday dawned bright and early, and we had plans to breakfast with mum and dad. And breakfast we did, at La Rocca in Canal Walk. This was dad’s super-strong flat white. I had the regular-strength version.

Mum was thrilled with her frittata – t’was so large Husband had to help her finish.

Dad and I chose waffles. That’s his Bananarama on the left, and my Rocky Road on the right. Both finished every mouthful!

Later that afternoon we headed out to Pitmasters on Woodbridge Island. Husband had a draught, as he does…

We shared a pulled pork burger and fries drenched in sriracha sauce. This is all that was left by the time I remembered to snap a shot.

T’was a misty, cloudy day. This is the view from Woodbridge Island that afternoon, with Table Mountain hidden by cloud.

Sunday, 14 February 2016: Non-Valentine’s Valentine’s Day

We don’t do Valentine’s Day like the rest of the world as it’s my birthday the very next day – but that doesn’t mean we miss out on all the lovey-dovey things. As we were heading to Newlands to fill up water bottles at the natural spring there, we breakfasted at nearby Cafeen. Husband had this lovely breakfast.

This is what my French toast looked like once I’d smeared on lemon curd, grilled banana, bacon, syrup and cinnamon-sugar. Very yum.

It’s not often that Husband goes for a coffee, so I snapped him sipping on his creme brulee latte as proof that it happened.

The Cafeen cats were a big attraction to all the kiddies seated with their families – we couldn’t resist either, as they were very sweet and wound their tails around our chair legs.

The non-Valentine’s-y table Mum set for lupper that afternoon.

And the very Valentine’s-y tiramisu she created. It was amazing.

Monday, 15 February 2016: My 32nd birthday

I’d taken the day off work but Husband did not – at least he made me a cuppa coffee to get the day off to a good start before he left, in this pretty new mug. The doggies were interested.

Mum had the spicy orange rooibos, which came with the ‘ant crawler’ tea cup set I so enjoy.

Dad and I both opted for the banana-bread French toast, with bacon, strawberries and syrup. Delicious.

Once Husband got home that eve we set off for my birthday dins at Catch 22. You can just see Table Mountain showing off through the plastic window beside him.

As I so enjoyed their gingerbread milkshake last time we visited, I knew I would love the gingerbread latte. It was possibly the best coffee drink ever.

We had the jalapeno poppers starter to share, then I went for the burger topped with bacon and cheese, while Husband conquered this solo platter with a baked potato on the side.

We headed home after a quick beach walk and just remembered to take the standard ‘birthday-hatted kiss on cheek’ photo – forgot about Husband’s one this year, oops 🙂

Workweek highlights

On Tuesday, one of my favourite PR agencies arranged a ‘Charly’s Bakery drop-off’ – personalised cupcakes! SO pretty, and they tasted amazing.

Have you ever seen a Chinese guava? My colleague brought these in to work as they grow on her tree. Look at how little it is. Tastes just like the regular, pinker version I’m used to.

And then, Thursday was my day to attend Design Indaba. There was so much to take in, as always. Click here if you missed my coverage.

The Artscape theatre was decked out with all sorts of design goodies.

This year’s delegate tag and bag.

Simple. Complex. Beautiful.

Afternoon tea at Design Indaba is usually a surprise/pop-up experience of sorts. This year I dressed my sample of Woolworth’s sriracha sorbet (orange) with sriracha drizzle and lime sherbet, while the pink rose sorbet got rose jelly cubes and coconut marshmallow blobs.

On Friday I attended an event at the new Century City Conference Centre, which is right by Ratanga Junction. Hadn’t noticed these cute ‘follow me footprints’ the last time we visited.

And that’s all, folks! We’ve finally had a spot of rain in Cape Town and I have the most dreadful head cold at the moment, so expect the next update to be focused on relaxing and doing things indoors…

UPDATE: THIS BLOG IS FULL, ALAS – FOLLOW MY NEW BLOG AT https://ramblinglitchii.wordpress.com/

Bus-rain mishaps, Wintery dog walks & let the bangers-and-mash-capades 2015 begin!

Yes, it’s Winter. No, I’m not a Winter person. But I am a fan of enjoying the little happy moments that pepper my day, even when it’s drizzly all day and that famed Cape wind is so cold outside that I can’t breathe and have to hold onto things while walking towards the MyCiti Civic Centre station – yes really, I fought through this on Monday.

Here are a few of my happy (and not-so-happy) moments of the past week…

Saturday, 30 May 2015: Reload breakfast, Wintery dog walk

Husband’s brekkie of choice last Saturday – the German hot dog with an extra egg at Reload. Note his mustard spiral fell out of the roll. Sad face.

I opted for the honey nut latte. Yummy.

A little can of fizzy delight – we stopped at the UK Emporium for some treats later that morning, this was my first ever Cherry 7-Up.

The rest of our spoils included Chunky double caramel Kit-kats, Vanilla Cola and Chocotastic Pop-Tarts (on special at just R10 for a box of 8!)

Later that afternoon, Husband finished all the little DIY tasks in the study, including putting up this shelf, nailing all of our academic certificates onto the ‘wall of clever’ and sorting out my enormous pinboard of paper mementos. Tick!

The weather was grey but the doggies loved their ‘just under 2 km’ long meander all around the neighbourhood.

They LOVED all the new sights and smells!

Sunday, 31 May 2015: Rainy Sunday pub grub at Forries

I enjoyed last Friday’s office lunch at Forries so much that it was the first place that sprang to mind when I saw the weather on Sunday. Here is Husband just outside – you can just see the edge of Devil’s Peak behind Forries.

Husband not-so-happy about being made to pose at the ‘History of beer in Cape Town’ walls in the beer-tasting room.

Me at the Castle draught 1895 tanker

He tried the ‘1895 preservative-free’ Castle Draught and turned his frown upside down.

He had three large bangers nestled on mash with veggie bits. “Very good,” he said.

I went for the jalapeno poppers wrapped in bacon, with pesto drizzled on the plate along with sliced fig and roasted baby tomatoes. A wonderful taste explosion!

Bertie looks very proud of himself here, sitting next to two ‘smaller dogs’ at Granny’s house on Sunday eve.

Wednesday, 3 June 2015: Wet weather at the One & Only

I attended a mobile/IT-type conference at the One & Only hotel on Wednesday, my first ever visit. The weather was sunny and bright when I arrived – so much so that seagulls were frollicking in a water feature.

The pretty tea selection inside.

Tea time treats and Protea table decor – I’ve blogged before about Cape Town’s love of using this flower to brighten indoor events.

The weather on my way home in the bus that afternoon – wet and miserable. Even more so when an opening in the bus roof leaked the rainwater it had collected all over my pants while I was seated!

I took this pic on my bus trip home to show you the ‘escape hatch’ panel in the bus roof responsible for my rain water-drenched lap on Wednesday. See it, looking all innocent? Bad bus!

Friday, 5 June: Bright ideas at Bright Day

My team had newsroom training at the Bright Day space in Woodstock – this tea set-up was so pretty. (See, more Proteas). Was a wonderful afternoon.

That’s all for now, folks – I’m off to get cosy in front of the fire. Happy weekend! 🙂

Family fishy lunch, best beach ice cream and conferences at the aquarium

Is it just me or is time really going faster? Can’t believe we’re almost at the end of March already. A quarter of the way through 2015. Wasn’t Christmas just a few days ago? No? I guess I can always scroll through my past weekly updates to see that’s not the case. Speaking of scrolling through, I hope you enjoy scrolling through my highlights of the past week…

Friday, 13 March 2015: Best sunset yet

Everyone and their dog posted their sunset photos last Friday after I’d finished updating the blog for the week. I held this pic over for your viewing pleasure today, as the skies look rather dull and dreary in contrast

Saturday, 14 March 2015: Lunch with all sorts of parents at Panama Jacks

Mum and me in Panama Jacks for Saturday lunch. Can just see my chocolate milkshake in the shot

Husband and dad, waiting for husband’s dad and his friend to join us

My chocolate shake, on the mappy table

Mum had the always impressive peri peri prawns with rice

Not sure why I’m the only one looking at the camera here

Italian kisses for dessert

Bertie watched a birdie show on TV while we napped

Precious darling doglet who always manages to look sad/worried/concerned

The almost-as-lovely-as-Friday’s sunset on Saturday – the sea is just beyond the row of cars, under the streetlamps

Sunday, 15 March: Swimming in Fish Hoek, lupper at Woodbridge Island

My ‘sweet treat’ breakfast at Bread and Butter – French toast with a layer of brie sandwiched between, and bacon and syrup on top

Husband had the breakfast burger. It’s a burger without the bun, skewered on a stick, with a side of toast

While walking through the nursery with dad-in-law and co, I spotted this mirror. So pretty. It’s price? Not so pretty, at R435. I love it though.

The shark net was out at Fish Hoek beach, so it was safe to swim

These two seagulls watched all the action in the sea then took off sadly, as though they wished they could have had a paddle. Wet feathers are no fun

This icecream on the beach. Perfect.

Husband driving us home, past Muizenberg’s bright blue sea

Husband driving us home, past all sorts of trees

Teehee. We giggled at this sign outside the Lighthouse Tavern at Woodbridge Island

Husband kindly showing the camera where we stopped for lupper on the way home

Husband showing his dubious dad how you eat the bacon-and-feta-filled jalapeno poppers at Ilha

My iced coffee was finished! My hair was blowing all over my face!

Tuesday, 17 March 2015: House of Monatic factory tour, very late St Patrick’s Day dins

Some of the fabric swatches on the ‘suit jackets’ floor of House of Monatic in Salt River, where I attended a press launch day

Have you ever actually been inside a clothing factory? It’s fascinating to see exactly how seemingly simple items are put together. Row and rows and rows of machinists at work

The table decoration at House of Monatic

All the pretty shirts precisely sewn, buttoned, steamed, packaged and ready for distribution.

Poor Husband, finally eating the wonderful Guiness-y Irish stew mum brought over for dins on St Patrick’s Day. He only got home from work at 12.35am as had so much to do

Thursday, 19 March 2015: Internal branding conference at Aquarium

How I started my Thursday, at the Employer Branding Masterclass at the Aquarium

Imagine how distracting this view was. So amazing to be almost among the fish for the day. The orchid in front of the mirror is delightful, too

Morning tea break wander through the Aquarium. So many fish, so little time

Conference dessert. A cakey, moussey, ice-creamy concoction.

Now that’s how you stay alert and focused through the afternoon session of a full-day conference – with Twinings Chai tea and a homemade crunchie cookie

That’s all, folks! We’ve had quite a few late nights this week, so looking forward to a relaxing weekend. Hope yours is just what you need 🙂

Ice-cream starters, summer bunnies and protea decor

Eek, you guys. The time has finally, FINALLY come to seal and scribble on the last of our big brown moving boxes, give the ol’ tomato sauce-and-mustard-coloured walls a wave goodbye and settle into our first, very own housie! In other news, we’re just a weekend away from December. Time really does go faster at this time of year. Here’s what we’ve been up to since my last update…

Saturday, 22 November 2014: ‘Celebrate Summer’ braai, meet new bunny addition to the family and learn yoyo tricks, all at the Pantlands’ new housie

McDonald’s Maple syrup-flavoured oats work for a busy Saturday, especially as they’re just R12 a pop

This is Toby, my friend Danni’s gorgeous blue-eyed boy. His sister Skylar ran away each time I came close with the camera. Clever girl.

The braai fire took a while so I suggested we start with dessert – always a win! As Frank works at The Creamery, we got to try nectarine flavour and raspberry yoghurt swirl – so good!

The very cute Cobb ‘braai’ – big enough to fit a full chicken, we hear…

Meet Bunbun, the newest addition to the Pantland family. He’s so sweet! Frank found him while driving home from work one night. His adopted kitty siblings choose to ignore him, which is fine as he tends to sit under the bed all day

Bunbun let me pose with him. Very odd angle makes him look huge – he’s really about half the size of Bassie!

Look how pleased he is with himself! While waiting for the meat to braai, Frank showed us some yoyo skills (he’s quite famous for this) and let Husband have a go at his PowerBall wrist strengthen-y thing

Sunday, 23 November 2014: Breakfast at Bread & Butter, Sunningdale; post-packing treats at Ilha, Woodbridge Island

If you happen to be at Bread & Butter on a Sunday, you’re in luck as that’s the only day their version of bread and butter pudding’s on the menu. Their’s includes croissants, custard and caramel sauce, baked fresh on ordering…

Close up of the steamy goodness, mini jug of custard on the side

This is what you get if you ask Husband to make a ‘nice face’ while he’s having eggs benedict at Bread & Butter. This version comes on toast, with bacon and avo.

A very big cheesy grin for this delicious iced coffee shake at Ilha, Woodbridge Island. Still one of the best at only R15

Of course Husband opted for a beer instead…

Wednesday, 26 November 2014: Tasty tea time treats at the DMX Conference at Table Bay Hotel (yes, where I recently had high tea)

Some during-the-week sweet treats – these were my first ever macarons, at the Table Bay Hotel on Wednesday when I attended the DMX Conference

I knew from the bravery of Jana at our recent High Tea there that the lime-green mini tarts are not to be feared – there’s caramel inside, so good! Pretty proteas in the background.

Friday, 28 November 2014: More protea decor at the U-Start Conference at Cape Town’s City Hall

That there’s Cape Town city hall. Rather impressive

More proteas as decor, this time in mirrored vases 

That’s all for now, folks. Get out there and enjoy the weekend! 🙂

Staycation 2014 week 1: Tasha’s breakfast and Col Cacchio lunch

If you’re not even sure what a staycation is, you definitely need one. It’s a vacation where you don’t actually go anywhere. So you stay at home enjoying the simple things like getting up when your body clock tells you it’s the right time to, reading the pile of books you’ve been ignoring, singing along to songs on the radio, catching up on those TV shows you’ve been putting aside (ahem Glee season 5, I’m talking to you), and seeing people who happen to be available during the week (such as your lovely retired parents).

And so, that’s what I did during last week’s mid-week staycation – along with spending quality time napping with the doggies, I spent Tuesday to Thursday catching up on much needed admin and housework and even breaking my first ever window (accidentally, of course). Alas Husband was not on leave with me as he’d already had a staycation of his own a few weeks earlier – click here for a reminder. We’ll definitely plan our leave better next time around!

But I digress. It was rather chilly in Cape Town last week, as you can tell from these photos…

Strong contender for best hot chocolate in Cape Town – the version at Tasha’s in Constantia Village comes with scoops of Nutella that you mix with the jug of frothy hot milk and marshmallows.

Dad’s mango frulatta looked amazing, with pieces of fresh fruit swimming along in the fruity drink

Dad and me sharing a giggle

See how delicious our drinks were? And the food was even better!

Mom enjoyed her pot of tea and the pretty decor

How deliciously healthy does this look? Dad had an omelette with salmon, avo and other bits

Mom’s mini breakfast didn’t look so ‘mini’ to me! Poached egg was wonderfully runny and look how nicely they cooked the tomato

Of course you know I can’t go for the healthy option if there are other yummy things to try – this is the French toast with marscapone, syrup and Italian cherries. Bellisima!

Grey skies and silver seas near Camps Bay as seen in the car on the way home

Proof that Bertie is part-cat. Does YOUR dog perch on top of the couch with his paws tucked in, and fall asleep like that?

Mom made us individual chicken, mushroom and leek pies for supper on Wednesday – so good!

My very berry shake was the winner of our drinks at Col Cacchio on Thursday

My sweet smiley dad waiting for his half-price half-half topping pizza to arrive

Mom and me waiting for our lunch

Pizza happiness! I had the Norm’s Pralina, which has butternut, feta, rocket and caramelised pumpkin seeds. Finished it for supper that night

That’s all, folks. It was a much-needed mini-break but the relaxation’s not over yet as I’m in the middle of yet another mid-week staycation this week! So expect more photos soon, but first I have some of last weekend to share… Watch this space! 🙂