Snack healthy

These snacks sound delicious and are super healthy, low-energy releasing options! Quick and easy and perfect for a lunch at work or midday energy booster. For more ideas and recipes click here.

Tuna and white beans

Avo and lime

Savory sweet potato

Ricotta, herbs and cucumber

Tropical fruit parfait

Savory yogurt dip

Spiced nuts and seeds

Tea Party in Town

We love Joburg city and all the new and exciting ventures popping up all over - you've heard us rave about Arts on Main and now we're dying to have a look at the new store up the road from there, Malva. Join them on Saturday for a tea party!

Click image for full-size version.

Welcome mat

I love this welcome mat and think it would be perfect at my front door. Unfortunately I have no idea where to get it but I found it online here.

Chalk board ideas

I love these chalk board decals by Shana Murray. They would make a delightful addition to a chalk board in any house. Chalk boards themselves make great notice boards because you can stick things on and draw things on.

Girls Only

This new online store, Girls Only, was featured in the June 2010 Elle mag and I wish I had come across these patriotic eyelashes before today so I could bat my eyes and show my support for Bafana Bafana. (On that note, didn't they do us proud today?!) There are loads of great products available on this site, including the divine Esse body range.

Potato salad with a twist

I like potato salads. I don't love them and I would probably never make one myself. Until I came across this recipe on Smitten Kitchen for dilled potato and pickled cucumber salad. Now that's more like it!

6 tablespoons distilled white vinegar
4 teaspoons coarse kosher salt
2 1-pound English hothouse cucumbers, very thinly sliced
1/2 cup plus 3 tablespoons chopped fresh dill
3 1/4 pounds Yukon Gold potatoes (about 10 medium), unpeeled
Additional coarse kosher salt
1 cup very thinly sliced white onion
8 radishes, trimmed, thinly sliced
scant 3/4 cup mayonnaise (I get by with a bit less)

Small radishes with green tops

Stir vinegar and 4 teaspoons coarse salt in small bowl until salt dissolves. Place cucumbers and 1/2 cup dill in heavy 1-gallon resealable plastic bag. Add vinegar mixture; seal bag. Turn several times to coat. Refrigerate overnight, turning bag occasionally.
Pour cucumber mixture into large sieve set over bowl. Drain at least 1 hour and up to 3 hours. Discard brine.
Cook potatoes in large pot of boiling salted water until tender, about 30 minutes. Drain. Cool potatoes completely. Peel potatoes; quarter lengthwise. Cut crosswise into 1/2-inch-thick slices. Place potatoes in large bowl; sprinkle generously with coarse salt and pepper. Add drained cucumbers, onion, sliced radishes, and remaining 3 tablespoons dill; toss to blend. Let stand 1 hour. Stir mayonnaise into salad. Season generously with salt and pepper, if desired. (Salad can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate.)
Mound salad in bowl; garnish with whole radishes. Serve cold or at room temperature.

Country kitchens

How wonderful are these kitchens! I can imagine sitting around them for long weekend lunches or family breakfasts. I love the rustic style that has been executed in a way that would work in any modern family home.

{The Goodie Life via Marie Claire Maison}

It's here!!!

There is not much more to say other than that the day has arrived! Whether you are attending the World Cup kick-off game this afternoon or cheering from other places around the city, it is going to be a day to be proudly South African- it's where the whole world wants to be. It's going to be a moment to remember! Ke Nako! Go Bafana Bafana!

{For more beautiful pictures of the build up to the World Cup click here}

Only one place to be tonight

Excitement is in the air and reaching fever-pitch as we can finally say 'it's here'! There is only one place to be tonight - the Opening Concert at Orlando Stadium. It's going to be awesome and there are still tickets available to see the amazing line-up of artists including Shakira, Parlatones, Alicia Keyes, Black Eyed Peas, Freshlyground and so many more. Click here for all the info. Enjoy!

Inspired Fashion: One day to kick off (in the right shoes)

Since its "one more sleep" till kick-off it is only fitting that fashion takes on the World [Cup].

I love Superga's take on support (and these are available at Woolies).

Go BAFANA BAFANA

Inspired finance: investing in turbulent times

On a day to day basis very little seems to change when it comes to our ‘financial health”, and yet we are bombarded with news about what is going in the world. Recently we have been inundated with comment about Greece having to borrow money to pay back debt. Prime Minister Cameron, the prime minister of Britain, has warned that times could be tough. President Obama of the USA has had to institute measures to stop a major crisis. 

 {Source}

How does this affect each of us? Firstly, we must accept that the world is facing massive financial challenges and the risk of economic fallout is higher than we have seen in many years. But so what, there is nothing we can do about it. Whilst few of us are able to alter the “big picture” each of us can make sure we manage our own affairs correctly.

If you are in the fortunate position of having disposable income, that is, money left over after having paid all expenses, the best way of spending the balance is to pay off debt. Pay off the credit card, the account at your clothing retailer, and if possible, pay off your mortgage bond. Getting rid of debt is the best savings you can make. Imagine waking up every morning knowing that you do not owe anybody anything, what an amazing feeling of independence. If you are able to have no debt then the events in the economy have very little influence on your lifestyle and well being.

Once you have paid off your debt the next step is to invest your money. The way to make money in the markets is to buy low and sell high. That means that one should take advantage of opportunities that occur when there is turmoil in the world economies and markets are under pressure. Every time one reads the newspaper or watches TV and hears how bad things are we should be content that that is the best time to invest. There is so much “noise” being broadcast that the real situation is often ignored. If you have disposable income and have reduced your debt take advantage of the opportunities that present themselves when markets come under pressure. In a few years time you will look back and say “if only I had invested more."

A simple breakfast that tastes so good

The husband and I made boiled eggs on toast when we went away to the Magaliesberg last weekend. It's a breakfast staple but quick, easy, and oh so delicious! You can also add/replace any variety of ingredients you find in your fridge. Adding avo slices or using capers instead of spring onion and bacon is a tasty alternative.

Ingredients:
2 boiled eggs per person
2 slices of crusty bread per person
Handful of spring onions
Punnet of baby tomoatoes
Bacon
Creamy feta
Olive oil
Salt, pepper and sugar

• Cut up the baby tomatoes and spring onion, drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle with sugar and place under grill
• Boil a pot of water; once boiled, place eggs in for 6 minutes (5 minutes at sea level)
• Fry the bacon on a stove
• Toast the bread and drizzle with olive oil
• Shell eggs, cut into slices and place on bread
• Place the bacon on top of the eggs
• Add the spring onion and tomato mix
• Crumble feta on top
• Season with salt and pepper

Gourmet take-out

We have seen ceramic paper cups, ceramic egg crates, and now ceramic take-out containers. Add a little tongue-in-cheek to your dinner party and serve up your fanciest dish in one of these!

{Available here}

I dream of clothespegs

I live in a dream world where my scope for DIY and craft projects far exceeds reality - this probably explains why I loved today's craft featured on Creature Comforts, one of the best blogs I've come across for pretty and inspiring ideas and projects. Although, for some reason, dolled-up pegs do seem popular - painted, adorned, bright. And what on earth do we do with them other than seal our hot cross bun and frozen veg bags? But there is a world where we make our own and use them to attach cards to gifts and other such loveliness! Also, can you imagine how many pretty uses you could find for these adorable poms? So, whether or not you actually embark on this particular craft (I have to say it is really simple) - I do hope it inspires the DIY goddess in you that's busting to make an appearance. When she does ask her to give mine a call.

Click here for the how-to.

Rooms On View Review

I went to Rooms on View at the Sandton Convention Centre on Friday night. It was a great way to spend an evening browsing through some of South Africa's best interior stands with sparkling wine and delicious little snacks in hand. There was lots of inspiration to be found, many great ideas to take home and of course many products to put on your wish list.

{Source}

I especially loved the Mzansi Collection which is soon to be opening as a store, gallery and restaurant at Sandton Square.

{Source}

I was also excited to see the newly launched Welcome Home collection which is now available at Boardmans. It is so wonderful to see beautiful, contemporary South African design available on a larger scale.

My favourite was the Design Team Fabrics stand - there fabric wallpaper is some of the best I have seen!