Out and About in Town

The great thing about Cape Town...there's always a new place to discover. There's always a new festive event and there's always new experiences at old favourites.

Over the past couple of weeks we've been out and about in town discovering new coffee shops, visiting markets and finding the perfect way to end a night.

In a mini version of our Coffee Club, we tried out the new Yours Truly in Kloof Street. We visited the one in Long ages ago and it still boasts the best cup of coffee I've ever had. This branch is attached to a very hip hostel which explains all the good looking boys with accents. The location (Kloof Street aka the street of cool) explains why it's always full.

  

 

 In the day it's the place to get your caffeine and sandwich on while at night, it's bustling with cute boys in skinny jeans and lots of girls with fringes in tights and their gran's jumpers. Not that I am knocking it. It was awesome and looks like a fun place to spend an evening. If we can ever get a table. If you're keen, make sure you get there early. It's never not busy.

I was so miserable this day. I had a cold sore and thought no one would ever love me.

 

House and Leisure had their Night Market at Wembly Square recently. Despite the wind howling outside, the place was packed. Sadly it was more of a food market (not that I am complaining, it's the way markets should be for me) than design and homeware but it was still good. We walked around, bought some treats including an amazing ceramic brooch and had some of the best Dim Sum ever. It was so good there wasn't time to take pictures.

 

 

 

My new brooch of awesomeness.

To celebrate a bestie's birthday we visited The Tap Room in Salt River. Like Woodstock it's becoming the place to be. This little bar/restaurant/lounge is kinda hidden but once you find it you'll be glad. It's home to the Devil's Peak Brewing company so there is some great craft beer on hand. I tried two and one left me a little underwhelmed but the other was quite tasty. Please just don't ask me for names, i notice words like caramel, richness and smooth when ordering drinks.

 

 

They also serve some other liquors and food. The food deserves a mention. We weren't going to eat but after watching tray after tray of food porn pass us by we couldn't resist. Their pulled pork sandwich can change lives, it's that good.

Power and The Glory is my favourite place for a G&T and a hot dog. But sometimes you're not in the mood to drink. I am always in the mood to eat though. But those are personal issues I am working on. So when the summer night doesn't call for gin, it calls for iced coffees. And cookies! Chilled, relaxed, awesome.

 

Ex-Oh! Ex-Oh!

Oh Dear Megan Jewellery Launch

Last week I was lucky enough to attend the launch of the summer collection of Oh Dear Megan.

*On a side note, how awesome is that name, it's like when you have this really kooky friend who always does weird-off-the-wall stuff like Luna Lovegood or Cassie from Skin and you want to be surprised but in the end you're all like Oh! Dear Megan and shake your head knowingly*

In case you don't know ODM is a Cape Town-based studio which specialises in jewellery with a local flavour and is a big hit with those uber stylish peeps that roam the streets of the Cape.

 The summer collection launch was held at a studio at The Woodstock Exchange. If I was to describe the collection, I'd say it was the thing that candy-coloured, summer dreams are made of. And true to these words, the range was displayed alongside jars of pastel-coloured candy while we were served pink bubbles and ice-cream. I was in my own little happy place.

 

 

The collection is filled with intricate little pieces of jewellery that are good enough to eat. And they add a bit of whimsical fun to your look without the risk of looking like you went into your younger sister's jewellery box. It's just the right amount of playfulness.

BUT my favourite part of the collection has to be the coins. I love me some coins. I have had dreams of OWNING the Grecian goddess look for years. And these pieces will definitely help me finish off the look. And they're made of vintage South African coins so there's a bit of heritage along with the style.You can bet this is the first thing I'll be buying when the new collection is available.

If you're also keen to get your hands on some, check out Style36 or get on down to shops like Purr and The Fringe Arts.

Thanks to the fabulous Style Guide PR for the invite, the bag of candy and the goodie bag.

Ex-Oh! Ex-Oh!

New Role Model: Mabel Pines

It's not everyday you can find your role model in a cartoon series but I have. Mabel Pines is one of the stars of Gravity Falls, a cartoon series. Along with her twin brother, they are sent to a holiday resort to stay with their uncle and also hilarity and fun times ensue. My favourite part of this show is how Mabel relates to boys. Also the way she dresses because we have a similar penchant for knits and skirts.

Things I Have Learned From Mabel Pines:

1. How To Trick Boys Into Liking You

This note is genius. There is no chance for a boy to tell you no and say you smell. Also it gives them lots of options to profess their amount of like. Taking this on my next date.

2. How Not To Let The Haters Get You Down

If this wasn't a kids show, I am pretty sure that note would say, "Fuck off, I'm fabulous". Which is really what we all need to do when people are mean and try to bring you down. 

3. Find Your Personal Style and Own It

For reals, there is nothing I love more than a knit and a skirt. And luckily it seems to work with my body shape. Yeah for curves and clothes that flatter my waist. Life's too short to dress shitty.

4. How To Deal With Mean Girls

Kill those bitches with kindness. They hate that shit.

5. Just Believe In Yourself

No matter how much of a dork you are. As the movies and TV shows have taught us, the weird, quirky girl gets ahead too.

Ex-Oh! Ex-Oh!

Images from here.

In Another Life...

...I have no money troubles, my car doesn't bleed me dry, boys call me back and my red lipstick doesn't fade.

Sadly I live in the real world, where my savings are shot to shit. My car doesn't work more often than it does hence sayonara to all money. Boys never ever call me or message me because the ones I like dont always know I exist and I drink too may drinks and eat too much for my lipstick to even stand a chance.

But because I am a dreamer at heart, there are always things I want and fantasize about.

Miu Miu Glitter Sneakers

If I'm going to wear flats which I'm not particularly adverse to, they might as well sparkle. If I was ever so ballsy to ever purchase these, the glitter on them would be distracting enough since I won't be able to eat. For a couple of months.

Loin Cloth & Ashes Party Dress

I could name several place I could and would wear this dress to. I have even started pairing my heels with it in my head (I'm thinking nudes would be perfect). It's not that out of reach price wise but when you're watching your spend, things like pretty dresses go out the window.

Eric Northman

True Blood season six is a waste of my time. I know this. But I need to finish things so since I have invested all this other time I will finish this damn season. One reason to keep me watching is Eric. I actually loathe all other scenes especially the ones with Bill. Although he is a vampire and can kill me, he is beautiful. He is charming. He is a good businessman and can take care of me.There's always the chance he may kill me but we all need a bit of excitement in our lives.

Ex-Oh! Ex-Oh!

Images via here, here and here.

Things I Need In My Life Right Now

Are you there Trust Fund, it’s me, Allie. I desperately need you to make an appearance in my life. I need a couple of things in my life and as you can guess I am a little broke. Do your thang and please materialise, girl needs some new shoes.

This Knit Sweater

This is two-fold. 1. It’s a great song by The Doors. 2. It will save me a lot of time following boys around in clubs. Instead next time I see a hot guy, I can point and shirt and then whoop! There it is! True love.

These Boots

I realise this is an obscene amount of glitter. But seriously when is too much glitter EVER a problem. We all need some extra sparkle in our lives. By having and wearing these shoes, I am bringing joy to other people. And how can you hate on that.

Tutu Dress

I credit Sophia Grace and Rosie for bringing back the tutu dress But I found this amazing dress over on Superficial Girls. I need to know why we are not wearing these dresses more. Nipped in waist, great boobage and tulle skirts suit everyone. Every girl should have a grownup tutu dress.

Henry Cavil

Okay, no trust fund can buy him for me. *But* it can gift me with the ability to pay an underground syndicate to kidnap him and transport him to my private island where his Stockholm Syndrome will allow him to lavish attention and kisses on me daily.

Ex-Oh! Ex-Oh! 

Images from here, here, here and here. 

Latitude33

It’s not every day a café’s burger draws you in to try their coffee but with our latest Coffee Club venture that is exactly what happened.

A couple of weeks ago one of my work besties brought a takeaway burger for lunch and offered me a piece. If I could describe the feeling when I first tasted it, it would be that bit in The Wizard of Oz where everything is black and white and then she wakes up in Oz and it’s all colourful and amazing. That is how good it was. And as a Fat Kid, that means a lot.

So when I found out they also open up early, I thought why not give it a try. Latitude33 is located on uber-cool Bree Street. So I’m not gonna lie I was expecting a whole bunch of the so-hip-it-hurts crowd but perhaps we got there a little too early. Or maybe they’ve already moved on, they’re that cool. The crowd was actually nice and mixed and we sat next to a group of businessmen who always have a breakfast date there every Friday. It’s like a grownup version of coffee club.

Anyway back to the coffee. We ordered some lattes, some Americanos and a soy latte. The feedback was mixed. I enjoyed my latte but those having the Americano and soy latte were not as pleased.

The décor on the other hand we all agreed was awesome. If you like laid-back and comfy this is a the place. If you like surfing, this is your mecca. The café has a massive Bali influence and there’s so much more upstairs. That’s right, there’s an upstairs area that sells clothes and art. 

If you wanna go and try the coffee and report back, please let me know. I’m hoping it was just an off day. If you wanna go and have a burger, please call me. I will not hesitate.

Latitude33

165 Bree Street

Cape Town

021 424 9520

Ex-Oh! Ex-Oh! 

Let's Hear It For The Boys

Ah fashion launches. They consist of immaculately-dressed people whose faces I recognise from magazines and online and long to touch to see if they’re real. Everyone carries a glass of bubbly and food is teeny, tiny canapés whose description always includes drizzled, infused and seared; all of which are served on a stick which I struggle to eat without messing on my dress. *

 

 

Then you get invited to a fashion launch that changes everything. I, along with my gay husband Sam, attended the launch of Bastion Menswear at Salon91art gallery. The collection was set amidst the Back in Five Minutes typographic art exhibition; which we think worked crazy well. We were greeted by the friendly and pretty – is there any other kind? Seriously where are the uggos?! - PR ladies and invited to view the collection whilst helping ourselves to drinks and snacks. And this is where things got sexy ;) Instead of the usual waiters swanning around with bubbles, there were premade G&Ts and pizza. Hello heaven! I’ve arrived. There were some other drinks but for me gin makes me win.

How amaze are these hangers! Almost left with one but it wouldn't fit in my clutch.

 Now about the clothes. Bastion is created for the guys and is a side project of Lauren Kotze and Nikki St. Quintin. That’s right side project. For me, a job, a bit of a social life and the plot in Revenge keeps me busy 24/7. If I do have some spare time, you’ll find me passed out on the couch from a carb-induced coma. So I give these guys props.

Saving this shirt for when we have Michelle Obama arms.

The collection is made using all natural fabrics like hemp and organic cotton. Normally someone says hemp and I’m like eek, bloody hippies. But the design team have created a very stylish and classic range. There are a lot of wardrobe basics so you can create outfits around these pieces. And while they’re like YDE price range (short for R390 and shirts form R280) they are muuuuch better quality. You can tell these will stay intact after a few washes.

If Sam doesn't buy this I will buy it for myself, pretend it's for my Future Boyfriend and then say I stole it from him.

 

At the moment, you can contact Bastion via their Facebook page for all your orders, otherwise look to the Biscuit Mill where they’ll be selling soon. There are plans to stock the collection in stores in the future too so when it comes to buying all the stylish men in your life gifts, you’ll know where to go.

Our fashion blogger poses. 

Our disinterested hipster fashion blogger poses.

Our there's more gin faces.

Thanks to the peeps from Butter Knife for having us and for being so generous with your gin.

Ex-Oh! Ex-Oh!

*Disclaimer: Although I make fun of them, I still love those intricate canapés on sticks and drizzled with infused seared nonsense. If I had my way I’d stash a couple in my handbag, go home and eat them in the comfort of my fat pants. But alas I have to act like a lady in public.