Long shadows and messages in the sky

The High Line is one of those things that you can't imagine NY not having. It is so perfectly part of the city in its design above the streets with views of the world below maximised by framed scenes, the pops of ideas that surprise you along the way, from basil-favoured ice-cream to awesome billboards. Seeing eye-to-eye with buildings which usually require some major neck tilting to take them in. The hustle of fast paced foot-commuters.

We found ourselves there quite often this last trip, as our apartment was a block away. Not a bad place to have your morning coffee and croissants. Or to take late afternoon strolls as shadows stretch longer and the air reminds you its Autumn.

See pics of the latest extension here.

Bon jour Friday

So we are hosting a dinner party tonight and no matter who the guests are, I always seem to get into the whirl of frenzied last-minute-planning-rush-back-to-the-apartment-nerves. It is not as if there are a lot of people coming. Just six. And although they are pretty special peeps, they are also good friends, and would not blink if I resorted to take-away curries from the Indian place on our street (which I have done before). Luckily, one of the guests and chef-wizard T, is stepping in to help. She even brainstormed starters (amazeballs!). Another lucky is that I am ordering in some snacks from one of my fave local chefs (T - don't laugh - a girl's got to do what a girl's got do!). But we will also be making home-cooked roast chickens and an array of beautiful salads (this one always goes down well). 

{via here}

Have a gorgeous weekend readlets. 

xoxo

city of stars

Autumn sail on a steel grey Hudson. Cheese from Eataly and bubbles onboard. Wrapped up in woolens and a borrowed blanket. Lady Liberty herself raising her flame. Celebrating 30 as the sun sets and the city becomes a low lying sky of stars.

Guest Post: Wrapping inspiration

Sigh, if only all my Christmas gifts looked this good.

{source}

Work it girls

{via here}

On marriage

{Human and Cheska's first dance}

To my darling little sister, as a newly wed, I posted this one for you...

Paul Newman's letter to his wife on their wedding day:

“Happiness in marriage is not something that just happens. A good marriage must be created.

In the Art of Marriage, the little things are the big things.

It is never being too old to hold hands. It is remembering to say ‘I love you’ at least once a day. It is never going to sleep angry.

It is at no time taking the other for granted; the courtship should not end with the honeymoon; it should continue through all the years.

It is having a mutual sense of values and common objectives. It is standing together facing the world. It is forming a circle of love that gathers in the whole family.

It is doing things for each other, not in the attitude of duty or sacrifice, but in the spirit of joy. It is speaking words of appreciation and demonstrating gratitude in thoughtful ways.

It is not expecting the husband to wear a halo or the wife to have the wings of an angel. It is not looking for perfection in each other. It is cultivating flexibility, patience, understanding and a sense of humor. It is having the capacity to forgive and forget.

It is giving each other an atmosphere in which each can grow. It is finding rooms for things of the spirit. It is a common search for the good and the beautiful.

It is establishing a relationship in which the independence is equal, dependence is mutual and obligation is reciprocal. It is not only marrying the right partner, it is being the right partner."

How beautiful!

hello weekend!

{via here}

Ah Friday at last. Crazy hectic week that felt both long and short. Those in Joburg have too many wonderful, creative things to get up to these next few days. Yes, we are goign to be busy busy busy indluging in teh best design, food and craft this city has to offer. And here's why ---

*Food Wine Design - love this event and a great place to do your christmas shopping

*Neighborgoods Market - our family from Australia is in town and we want to show them one of our fave ways to spend a Saturday morning

*Karmers Vol Geskenke - the loveliest collection of one-of-a-kind, local, hand made goods (heart!) opens on Sunday. And my sister's store, The Selection, is taking part (yay!).

Hope to see you there little butterflies*

xoxo