Jo'burg be awesome

So I didn't get snapped by The Sartorialist while I was in NY (we can all dream can't we?) because he was scouting the streets of Johannesburg. Cheska mentioned him on Friday but I love that Scott was here and I love the photos he snapped so much I couldn't resist posting them. Man we have some cool peeps in our city.

PS. Happy Halloween!

Sandy

Our trip to New York could not have been better timed. We flew out of the city on Sunday at 11.15am, and we were the last flight back to SA before the storm hit. Already on Sunday morning as I ran last minute errands in the West Village, the wind was whipping and the sky was darkening. The grocery stores were busy with people stockpiling water and food and batteries. I was buying stashes of my favourite chocolate to take back home, two fresh juices for breakfast and crisps fro the plane. The teller remarked that I had a fine selection of goods to see me through the storm. Although if I had been buying goods for the storm, my shopping list probably would not have been much different :)

Saturday night was strangely warm. And just strange as New Yorkers stormed the streets in mad costumes for Halloween. We saw the ghost busters ion the subway and mini mouse on East 11th street. The problem was when you couldn't quite distinguish costume from non costume... Was that catsuit dress-up or Saturday night get up? Does that dude always ride the L train topless? So it wasn't the calm before the storm, it was quite the opposite.

Most of downtown Manhattan is now without electricity - it must be so strange to see the city in darkness, the city where the bright lights are as much the life of the city as the never ending footsteps of its inhabitants. That is why this photograph is so striking to me.

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Thinking of all my friends riding out the storm. Keep warm and dry and safe and sound.

Guest Post: These backs get my attention

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Guest Post: Happy Weekend

At last it is Friday! What are you up to? I am excited to tick a whole lot of things off my list, some of them as silly as buying books for honeymoon (any suggestions?) even though some say reading is not what you do on honeymoon! We are also going to a party on Saturday night which will be fun. Bailey is back on Sunday and I cannot wait to hear all about her trip - and see the things that she bought me in NY. 

I love this pic from The Graduate

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Here are some links from around the web so make the rest of this Friday afternoon speed by:

The Sartorialist is in town, which is causing much buzz in Jo'burg.

I have printed this out for my fiancé to teach him that it actually is healthy to make the bed. 

I can't wait for the new Bond film, but until then here are the best Bond lines.

OMG Mojito cheesecake pops! Say.No.More. 

This video sends me off the edge. ha! 

HAPPY WEEKEND!

Guest Post: Counting down

My wedding is super soon - 2 weeks and 2 nights! "Excited panic" is how I think I am feeling. So in the name of my looming "I do's"

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Guest Post: Half and half

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Guest post: I'm Awesome

Love this!

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Guest Post: HAPPY 30TH BIRTHDAY DEAREST SISTER

Happy birthday dearest Bailey. Have a sparkling time in New York continue to be as wonderful as you are! 

New York Weekend!

Happy weekend peeps and peepesses! It is a super happy one for me as I will be spending it in NY. I am so excited! Enjoy Cheska's guest posts while I am away, and I will tell you all about it when I get back.

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Kisses xoxo

Long haul flight to Australia

 I read this bit of marriage advice once about making an effort not to look like you are permanently on a long haul flight to Australia. You can just picture the clothes right - comfy, slouchy, soft.

Tomorrow I am really about to embark on a long haul flight. Fifteen hours to NY. Yes, you want to be comfy, but you don't want to arrive at JFK looking like you've just been on a fifteen hour flight. With the added complication that you change seasons in mid air. You can always spot the seasoned traveller - the one who balances glamour + casual so perfectly. Of course, the above mentioned traveller usually emerges from business class. It is a whole lot easier to look glam and casual when you've had 10 hours sleep on a flat bed. The travelers I really don't understand are those that wear skirts on long haul flights. Really? You chose to wear that for 15 hours during which you twisted your body and bend your legs into all sorts of contortions.

So, what to wear? I think any of these are perfect travels outfits...

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(Shhh - Apparently this outfit will bump you up to first class)

Guest Post: OH YUM: Dark Chocolate Brownies, Ginger Ice Cream & Salted Butter Caramel Sauce

Doesn't this look like the most delicious thing ever?

For the brownies (adapted from Martha Stewart):

Notes: you can replace the gluten free flours with 3/4 cup all purpose flour if not gluten sensitive.

6 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature
6 ounces semisweet chocolate
1/4 cup best-quality unsweetened Dutch-process cocoa powder
1/4 cup superfine sweet rice flour
1/4 cup cornstarch
1/4 cup millet
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 large eggs
1 cup sugar
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1/4 cup Kahlua or strong coffee

Preheat oven to 350°F and position a rack in the center. Line an 8-inch square baking dish with parchment paper, leaving a 2-inch overhang on 2 sides. Butter the paper and set aside.
In a heatproof bowl set over a pan of simmering water, melt together the butter, chocolate, and cocoa. Remove from the heat and stir until smooth; let cool slightly.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the rice flour, cornstarch, millet, baking powder, and salt. Set aside. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, whip the eggs, sugar, and vanilla until pale on medium high speed, about 4 minutes. Beat in chocolate mixture. Add kahlua or coffee. Add flour mixture and beat until just combined, scraping down sides of bowl as needed.
Pour the batter into your prepared pan and bake 30 to 35 minutes until a knife inserted near the center comes out clean. Let cool 15 minutes, lift out of pan, and transfer to a wire rack. Let cool completely. (check at 15-20 minutes if using smaller molds). Cut into 8 rectangles. Brownies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature up to 3 days.

For the ginger ice cream:
2 cups (500ml) heavy cream
1 cup (250ml) whole milk
1 cup (200gr) granulated sugar
2 tablespoons freshly and very finely grated ginger

In a large saucepan, stir together the cream, milk, sugar and ginger. Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium low heat, stirring occasionally to dissolve the sugar. Remove from the heat and let steep as it cools to room temperature. Refrigerate, preferably overnight. Strain if desired.
Process the mixture into your ice cream maker according to the manufacturer's intructions.

For the salted butter caramel sauce:
1 1/4 cup (250 gr) granulated sugar
80 ml water
1 stick (115gr) salted butter at room temperature, cut into small pieces
150 ml heavy whipping cream

In a heavy saucepan set over low heat, combine the sugar and water. Cook just until the sugar is dissolved. Add the butter. Let it come to a boil and cook until it reaches a golden caramel color. Remove from the heat and add the cream ( it will splatter and get crazy). Whisk to combine and put back on the stove. Let it come to a boil again over low heat and cook 25-35 minutes until you reach a creamy consistency. Pour into a jar and try to refrain yourself from drinking it!

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