Kim Gray Stylist Fashion Decor Lifestyle Cape Town South Africa

Aren’t these coats great  for a fraction of the price of most chain stores. I had fun sourcing winter accessories for this job.

Photography: Misha Taylor, Make-up: Jade Leggat

photography: Anton Robert

My bargain pumps from Ackermans! R60, thank you very much, I’ll take both pairs!

Best in blogging :

Guest blogging for Bloesem.

Best day:

19th January – our wedding day.

Best eating experience:

Night Market, Luang Prubang, Laos

Best gifts from suppliers:

Swarovski earrings, Zenabu, India Hicks Body Polish, Crabtree and Evelyn

Best International fashion trends:

Tribal Africa and Safari

Best in personal shoots:

Cavendish Square Gift Guide

Best international bargain:

Raw Silk clutch bags, R70 each, Cambodia

Best local bargain:

Silver gladiator sandals, Ackermans, R30

Best PR:

Old Khaki gave a thorough and personal trends review for summer earlier this yr. It was beautifully presented.  Not only were we treated to a Poetry Candle and Old khaki Gift vouches, but they treated me to more vouchers when their driver was late in collecting merchandise form me. Personal attention at it’s best!

Best experience:

Temples of Ankor Wat, Cambodia

Feeding of the Monks, Luang Prubang, Laos

Best daily read:

The Daily Candy

Best local retail store:

Woolworths , From beautiful organic foods to gorgeous kitchen equipment and a fab selecton of shoes and accessories, I have to put my blinkers on when I walk through a Woolies.

Best home decor blog:

Style files

Best do-gooders:

Babazeka, the socially aware online store.

Best beauty:

If not for the great product, then it’s packaging. Benefit cosmetics.

Best in chairs:

Id Solutions

Best in wedding memoirs:

Plastic chicken, part of Afropolitan wedding theme and heart tin invites.

Best smalls decor store:

L’ Orangerie

Best S.A entrepeneur:

Heather Moore for Skinny laminx

Best handbag:

Jo Borkett

Best successful S.A. crafters:

Mongoose, their bags and cushions can be found in stores such as Big Blue and Babazeka.

Best live concert:

I have always hummed to Louise Carver’s tunes on the radio, but I was an instant fan watching her live at Kirstenbosch Silver Tree Restaurant. A wonderful evening with soup and wine for R100. I am sad I missed the Sushi and bubbles evening, plus Louise launched her new jewelry range.

Best S.A. fashion design:

Lunar, for it’s timeless design.

Best accessory:

And it’s been given the most compliments. Once again, Babazeka!

Best shoes work:

Grey Converse high-tops

Best shoes play:

Charles and Keith, bought at Singapore, Changi Airport.

Best novels read:

“The Kite Runner” and “A thousand Splendid Suns” by Khaled Hosseini . Now I hate to admit I am not an avid reader, but these two books I couldn’t put down.

Best easy recipe:

This recipe was given to me by my sister in law. It’s Nigella’s Margarita ice cream. This is a good one if you’re throwing a New Years Eve party and it’s just super easy!

Ingredients
125ml/4fl oz lime juice
2 tbsp tequila
3 tbsp orange liqueur or triple sec
150g/5½oz icing sugar
500ml/17fl oz double cream

Method
1. Pour the lime juice, tequila and orange liqueur or triple sec into a bowl and stir in the icing sugar until it dissolves.
2. Add the cream and whisk until the mixture is thick and smooth, but not stiff.
3. Spoon into an airtight container and place into the freezer to freeze overnight. This ice cream doesn’t need to be taken out to soften before serving, as it won’t freeze too hard and melts quickly.

Best browsing:

Peonies and Polaroids

Lobster and Swan

Pia Jane Bijkerk

Best coffee on the run:

Vida E Cafe coffee

Best local beauty:

Moya hand and heel therapy is a silky delight. The fynbos fragrances take you straight into a luxury bush experience. For a real treat, try the Moya Crystal Massage. Your skin is left glowing and silky and you are most definitely relaxed from the massage and fragrances.

Best inspiration:

BEST IN – What’s hot right now!

I am loving Crabtree and Evelyn Botanical Mango and Grapefruit Boday butter, if not for the texture, the amazingly sharp and fresh citrus fragrance, you just want to eat it.

I am loving Elizabeth Gilbert’s “Eat, Pray, Love” , if you’re not a traveler you will be after this book, her description of sumptuous calorie loaded Italian food is mouth watering. An insight on life, love, spirituality and eating, with a sense of humour!

I am loving, well the T shirt says it all , by Urban Outfitters

MAY 2009 BRING YOU GREAT THINGS! HAVE A SAFE AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!