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The land of beautiful beaches, warm weather, sprawling Serengeti plains, the highest mountain in Africa, and of course… Freddie Mercury – Tanzania is a land filled with delights and discoveries second to none. Our home away from home for the four nights of our stay was the picturesque four-star Southern Sun Dar es Salaam hotel, which is located very centrally in the suburb of Kivukoni, a beautiful old neighbourhood with architecture harking back to its Arabic heritage, which adds to the air of history and adventure that exudes from this city. The hotel is modern and beautifully decorated in dark, polished woods and leather, with an exotic Moroccan theme running through it – artfully blended with an intrinsically African feel as well, from the arches and carved wood work partitioning’s to the fresh green plants and gleaming tiles (it’s too hot for carpets in this part of the world.) The…

We love discovering new spots and J. Rabbit’s has just opened its doors where the old Griffin used to be located. In case you were wondering it is named after that famed cartoon character, Jessica Rabbit and the vibe and décor lend itself perfectly to that notion, too. Following the speakeasies of yesteryear, access to the bar is through the laundromat in the front of the building before arriving in the plush Mexican styled bar at the back. Offering one of the biggest selections of tequila we have ever seen, J. Rabbit’s cocktail menu uses predominantly tequila and mezcal and even features some tequila brand’s that are not yet available to the public in SA yet. The food menu is South American inspired, yet offers some great classics as well, and this will certainly be an experience like no other for discerning foodies and cocktail lovers alike. A: 5, Illovo…

We are so excited we do not know what to do with ourselves – smash hit musical Chicago is coming to Montecasino in March this year. He had it comin’… and we have it coming to Jozi as this award winning South African touring cast and crew bring all your fave hits home. Yup, All that Jazz, Cell Block Tango and Mister Cellophane and a night club singer and a murderess, as well as as a lawyer with the gift of the gab hit the stage at The Teatro from 26th April to 26th May 2019. The show features Samantha Peo and Ilse Klink, as well as Craig Urbani take the lead roles and are supported by a stellar cast including KJ Haupt with Carmen Pretorius and Grant Towers joining the company in principal roles. Ensemble members from Chicago’s 2005 and 2008 seasons, husband and wife Ferdi and Diani Gernandt…

We recently spent a night at the beautiful four star Southern Sun Montecasino hotel, and were blown away by the beauty of this Tsogo Sun Property. Echoing the Italian theme that Montecasino is well known for, the hotel is inspired in it’s design by the 15th century Palazzo Corsini villa in Italy’s picturesque mountain region of Gianicolo, and you would be forgiven for thinking you had slipped back in time to an old-world Venetian era. Of course the hotels services and amenities are anything but old world and bullet speed Wi-Fi is always a huge plus in our world, and they delivered it. From a speedy check in, to pre-dinner drinks on the pool deck to efficient and attentive service in the onsite Punchinello’s restaurant our stay was a pleasure from start to finish. Punchinello’s offer a buffet breakfast and lunch (which are healthy and plentiful too) as well as…

The buzz on the lips of Sandton’s socialites has to be all about the latest nightlife hot spot, where everyone who is anyone, is making appearances – the avant-garde, underground venue and best address for luxury dining in Sandton. Alice & Fifth is located, obviously, on the corner of Alice Lane and Fifth Street, and is located in the Sandton Sun, and is a deep and retro styled venue – sporting velvet upholstery, marble flooring and a lot of dark wood combined with brass fittings and heavy curtains – think an old school gentleman’s club and you have it in one. It embraces its upmarket and high end luxury status as is befitting a venue of this nature located on the golden mile in Sandton, and is frequented by celebrities, business men, politicians and international guests. Designed by Tristan Plessis and his StudioA team – Tristan took the brief from…

We love discovering beautiful gems in our local Sandton and surrounds, and Clico Boutique Hotel is just that. Located on a rather busy road in the bustling suburb of Rosebank, you would be surprised to find that behind the walls of this beautifully appointed hotel, lies an unexpected peace and quiet that is set to restore the soul. Many choose to make Clico their base when in Johannesburg, whether from overseas or visiting from other cities for work, purely for the fact that not only is it really convenient and centrally located, but also really close to the Gautrain station, making getting in and out of the city that much easier. Clico also offers function facilities are unique and varied and suit intimate events and meetings perfectly. Recently revamped, the conference room now boasts in own separate entrance, as well as big sliding doors that open onto the shady garden,…

Named after his two late grandfathers, Douglas + Hale is Chef James Diack’s fourth venture and we love it! If funky, cool and creative cocktails are your thing – then you will love it as much as we do, too. From the décor which carries a rather ritzy, burlesque feel, to an extensive wine selection which will leave every taste and palate satisfied this is an experience from start to finish. Cocktails are created with passion and the names are delightful – The Black Pearl, a rum based cocktail, was a huge hit at our table. The Electric Coolaid also had us intrigued and cocktail guru and master drink creator Jesse Chinn (who bares an uncanny resemblance to Captain Jack Sparrow), kept us well entertained as he explained his creation process and showed us step by step how a few of the cocktails are made, much to our delight! The…

We are not sure if everyone feels the same as we do about shopping for life’s essentials like groceries and pet food, but we are pretty sure that it’s not your favourite thing either, right? Enter the solution we just love – OneCart.co.za! This super easy to use online platform, where consumers can shop from multiple grocery retailers and receive their delivery within 2 hours or at their preferred scheduled time is changing the grocery game exponentially! OneCart have just launched their Click & Collect service – customers place their order online from multiple stores and then simply drive through to the mall and collect directly from a OneCart Click & Collect facility which is conveniently located in/near the parking lot – no need to pay for parking or go in to the mall. Love it! These will eventually be found in several shopping centres throughout South Africa, and serves…

It’s almost a New Year, and if – like us – you are looking for some fresh new changes in your life, why not start with your bedroom, it is where you rest and relax, and the latest floral trends from Volpes Linen have us feeling as fresh as a daisy! Think beautiful designs in a myriad of colours, patterns, prints and styles, and not only are florals popping up in accessories, but also in bedroom linen, dramatic wallpapers, curtains to even fun and interesting furniture pieces, as showcased in homes around the world. Your bedroom is your sanctuary and when it comes to incorporating florals, the options are endless, from subtle classic prints in pretty colours to the larger, brighter and bolder florals that really make a statement. Keep in mind that you should only have one modern floral statement piece – so select either the bed, curtains or…

In case you are needing some festive shopping inspo, or are just running out of time before the guests arrive, we have put together our must have Top 5 stocking stuffers to help you out. Also, if Santa left any of these under our tree, we wouldn’t say no – if you know what we mean! Tokara MCC Festive Gift Box For a gift that ticks all the right boxes, look no further than this stunning Méthode Cap Classique gift box from Tokara Wines. This tasty 2011 vintage, available in a slick black gift box, will certainly add a touch of style to your Christmas cheer. Created from 100% Chardonnay, this Blanc de Blanc owes its elegance and finesse to the more than four years the wine matured on the lees. These spent yeast cells that remain after bottle fermentation to create the vibrant effervescence, impart texture and complexity to…