Category: Reviews

Father Day Gift Guide 2020

Father Day Gift Guide 2020

Posted on by Rebecca

Every year I find myself stumbling over what to get my husband and dad for Fathers Day. I’m sad to say for the last few years I haven’t been able to spend Father’s Day with my dad, but I hope he knows just how much I love him.

If you’re looking for something different to spoil the men in your life with this year, here are my ultimate choices to show Dad he’s Rad ! (See what I did there?)

From top left:

These gorgeous 100% genuine leather wallets from Journey Leather. They have a full range of products including toiletry bags. RSP: From R520

If you are going big, you HAVE to check out Lego’s latest masterpiece. Lego Creator Expert has a model of the Manchester United Football Stadium to keep dad’s busy while they wait for the Premier League to come back on! At R4,499.99 its a little pricier then your normal gift but so worth it!

For the golfer dad’s out there why not add in a little style, while giving back to a great cause?
Goodbye Malaria is a social benefit organization that fights against Malaria, in Southern Africa, Eswatini and Mozambique. All online sale proceeds go towards the eradication of malaria. Golf t-shirt: R350 – Shorts: R350.00 – Baseball cap: R200

Has lockdown got you fighting for TV space? Enjoy the home console gaming experience on the go and, even without access to a TV. Nintendo Switch fits around your lifestyle. Enjoy classic games like Super Mario Brothers, which is perfect to teach the kids!

LINDT Excellence features the likes of 70% Dark, 85% Dark, Mint Intense, Orange Intense and Sea Salt flavours in 100g tablets (RRP: R49.99; the 90% and 99% RRP R54.99). Flavours vary from intense through to sweet, with many combinations proving to be unexpectedly delicious and indulgent. Why not set dad up with a pairing? Jack Black, Cappucino, Rooibos tea – Lindt pairs well with so many things.

This Garmin Approach is the perfect tool for measuring your yardage for shots from anywhere on the course you’re playing. It’s compact and clips on and would be the perfect addition for any Golf loving dad.

For the foodie dad, Le Creuset is a special treat! They have launched the super stylish “matte black” range which fits in seamlessly to any kitchen. Shop Matte Black and exciting new Father’s Day promotions, including Cast Iron Grill pans, online or in store at www. lecreuset.co.za from 1st June 2020.

Who says fitness watches can’t be stylish? This Garmin Vivoactive Watch, from takealot is the perfect gift. It has interface with Android phones and all the latest gadgets with heart rate monitors.

Every dad needs in introduction to DIY work, this cordless drill from Leroy Merlin is the perfect starter tool. At only R389 its perfectly priced to spoil dad with this weekend.

Grasshopper has a full range of options for the dad in your life, whether he is running around town all day, or seated at a desk. The winter Grasshoppers range includes a style for everyone including the “brown rugger”, the Grasshopper take on the classic Chelsea boot. Available online via Bolton Shoes or visit the Grasshopper site for more information.

Got a dad that’s addicted to Cooking shows? This flavour injector is such an awesome foodie tool, simply pour flavourful stock or marinade into the syringe, attach the correct sized nozzle, and inject the flavour into the body of the meat. (I may just go by myself one).

I think this may just top all gifts, get your garage organised with Garage Guys. Garage Guys are the leaders in cost effective garage shelving. They create custom shelving solutions to fit your garage style and needs.

Build 11 awesome LEGO machines with this awesome activity kit. Machines that whirl, flip, punch and cruise! Including: a gravity-powered car, a boxing robot, a claw, a catapult, a spin-o-vision, a ghost mobile car, a rollin’ T-Rex, a whirling fan, a mixing machine, a micro movie maker and a gravity-drop coaster. Available from Takealot.com

If you are looking for the perfect starter toolkit, this it it! Tool set DEXTER 40 pieces bi materials comes with all the tools you need to keep your home in tip top shape. Available from Leroy Merlin

Garmin Watch, from takealot

Instant Pot 101 – A guide for beginners

Instant Pot 101 – A guide for beginners

Posted on by Rebecca

Let me start my saying, the first few days with my Instant Pot were rough! I couldn’t figure out how to put the lid on, I wasn’t used to pressure cooking and it took me a while to actually “fall in love” with this little firecracker. Yet now, I proudly back this product with my life, I use it on rotation at least 3 times a week, so I thought I’d write a few tips on getting you through those early days.

Did you read the manual? Nope, Didn’t think so. The good news is there are a ton of community groups out there to help across social media, so instead of letting it gather dust in the cupboard, join them, read this, and just take the leap to get started.

You can live without it

Yes I know, any good “influencer” would not say that, but you can. You lived without it for all your life. What it does help with dramatically is EASING your life. Things that used to take 5 hours to cook can be cut down to 45 minutes. So, you certainly CAN live without it, but once you have experienced it, you may not want to 🙂 Mine has literally become my mid-week meal lifesaver!

You need to Prepare your meals

Pressure cooking can deeply intensify the flavours of your dish, but because you can’t freely open and close the lid, and chuck in your spices as you go along, you need to pre-think your flavours. Add your spices and herbs in in the beginning, so that they all cook together.

What happens if I want to slow cook?

The main difference between an Instant Pot and a normal pressure cooker, is that the Instant Pot is a “multi-function” cooker. As much as you can “speed things up”, you can slow them right down by selecting the slow cooker function. You can also steam, saute and sterilise at the touch of a button, heck, I have even baked in mine.main difference between an Instant Pot and a normal pressure cooker, is that the Instant Pot is a MULTI-FUNCTION cooker. That’s right, as much as you can speed up things, select the slow cooker function to take a slow ride. Over and above the slow cook function, you can steam, saute and sterilise, all at the touch of a button! Heck, I’ve even baked in mine!

Always make sure you have enough liquid.

Make sure that you always have at least 250 ml of liquid in your pot. The pressure builds up from steam, so if there is not enough, it won’t come up to pressure.
Consider investing in Stackable steamers – This will really give you another take one “one pot” cooking.

Use the “Saute” function to thicken your liquids

At the same time, always use flour or cornstarch AFTER pressure cooking, not before, otherwise you will end up on the “burn” option, and your dish can stick. Sometimes sauces or cans with a high sugar content, like tinned tomatoes, can also make this happen. To fix this, add in ingredients that either release water or add in an extra half a cup of water to make sure that enough liquid is present to steam. the ‘Sauté’ function if you meal has too much liquid. This will help the excess liquid to reduce. Stir frequently while cooking on sauté.

Natural versus Quick Release

This was probably one of the most intimidating things for me. The first time I moved that steam vent for quick release, I had gloves on, a cloth around my arm, AND I used a spoon. The Instant Pot takes a while to build up to the pressure setting called for in each recipe, and, it also needs time to release that pressure. For the QR (quick release), turn the vent counter clockwise. If time isn’t an issue, the Natural Pressure Release (NPR) will happen on its own, most often in 10 to 15 minutes. Use the Natural release with large cuts of meat which take longer to cook and other items which have a good amount of liquid, or a high starch content like dry beans and soups

Cooking times can be deceiving

When you first see a recipe, you get super excited because you’ll see a cooking time of say 8 minutes. However, you need to realise that every recipe needs some time on the front end to come to pressure, as well as time to depressurise afterwards. Think of it like your oven having to preheat.

That’s it! Start off by cooking the more simple things like the stews or pastas and from there start experimenting. You’ll soon find that using this nifty little tool comes naturally.

Champagne Castle Hotel Review

Champagne Castle Hotel Review

Posted on by Rebecca

It has it all.

Visual impact, luxury of years gone by, activities to entertain everyone, and enough food to feed the pre-slimmed down Royal Family 🙂 We were even blessed with the beautiful Drakensberg “mist” that added to the charm of our stay, giving it an ethereal feel.

Champagne Castle Hotel is pretty close to being an ultimate experience. There is no better hotel positioned with more dramatic and immediate views of the Drakensberg than this one, you are literally in the heart and center. We arrived when it was misty which actually made it even more magical. As the mist lifted you just saw more and more incredible mountains and peaks around you.

Self Catering Chalets

Accomodation

As this is a family blog I’m going to focus from a family point of view first, though if you are looking for a hotel that boasts it all for the more discerning guests, then you have certainly found it here as well. If you are looking to book for a family, you have two options. The deluxe family rooms which are 6 double-storey family rooms, with each having a patio and balcony.

Deluxe Family Rooms at the Hotelh

You can also choose the self catering house, which we did, as we went with a bunch of friends and it allowed us more space to “take over”. The family rooms have a upstairs and downstairs bedrooms each with an en-suite bathroom off the room. Whilst the self catering houses have up to 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, kitchen, dining room and a lounge with a fireplace. I’m pretty sure they were bigger then my own house and had a fully equipped kitchen, complete with high chairs for the little ones. They were heavenly and from what I understand, a bit more “modern” then some of the hotel rooms. The hotel itself is old but the self catering chalets were added on afterwards, so they have newer finishes to them.

 The Food

If you stay in the hotel then breakfast, lunch, and dinner, plus morning and afternoon tea are all included in your stay, except of course, for the self-catering chalets. So if eating and drinking is your thing, then you have scored big time. There is always something on offer, so best to make use of those walking trails to burn all the excess calories off.

Breakfasts include cereals, fruits, and yoghurts to cooked options and continental ones, without forgetting the ever popular pastries, waffles, and pancakes.

The hotel also has two lounges, one casual and one a bit more formal which is an adults only lounge. No shorts are allowed in the dining room after 6 pm. I have to say, this may annoy some people, but for me personally, with 3 young kids I can fully appreciate this. “Old school” rules are actually sometimes nice and people appreciate them. It adds a bit of elegance.

There is no shortage of selection in terms of food, with options from soups and breads, cooked meats, vegetarian, pasta, fish, roasted veggies, accompanied by a whole host of divine desserts and cheeses. We stayed self catering so didn’t personally dine there but from what I have heard the staff in the dining room are exceptional.

The Activities

This is what I rank a “family” resort on. The availability of activities to do, not only for the kids, but for mum and dad too. It doesn’t have to be purely within the hotel boundaries, but near enough to enjoy. Champagne castle has an incredible animal farm for children to explore. Chickens, rabbits, ducks, goats and ducks; petting farms are always a winner with younger kids. They also have stables on site and you can choose from a walk around the paddock for your kids to more advanced rides through the mountain trails. This applies for residents and day visitors to the hotel as well.

They also have an aviary towards the back of reception. I’ll be honest though, this needed a bit of work and seems to have been a bit neglected. Though we did spot a tortoise and some colourful birds, but it didn’t overwhelm us at all.

Growing up I remember always running to check out a resorts “playroom” and I still get excited when I see hotels that advertise them. I think it’s a charm of years gone by and I love that the boys are at the age now where they really enjoy a game of pool or table tennis. The hotel has a playroom, although again, its in desperate need of a bit of an update. There’s table tennis, a pool table and a lounge area for board games to keep up the entertainment if the weather outside is miserable. There is no shortage of outdoor activities either, the pool, tennis and badminton courts, volleyball, lawn bowls, giant chess, a jungle gym and well as a dam to fish. It really does cater to everyone’s needs. Let’s not forget that the majority of guests do come to do a little hiking in the pristine countryside.

The entertainment room is in need of a little update
Beautiful outdoor chess set

The hotel offers guided walks at 09.15 every morning, with a return promised before lunch. Maps and routes are also available from reception should you wish to do a self guided walk, though I’m not sure if I trust my sense of direction.

Swimming Pool with a view

Sadly I didn’t get a chance to check out the spa facilities, but fully intend on maximizing on this for our next stay. (Yes, I would return in a heartbeat).

The surrounding area has no shortage of activities either;

  • The Drakensberg Canopy Tour is a fun adventure for the whole family.
  • Falcon Ridge Bird of Prey Center is right next door to the hotel.
  • There is no shortage of golf courses in the area, both a 9 hole as well as an 18.
  • Champagne castle Adventure Centre is within about 5 minutes of the hotel and offers team activities such as archery, abseiling, paintball, river rafting, zip-lining and quad-biking as well as a younger kids area (3-7).
  • Explore some of the beautiful home industry bakeries

My focus for the last 2 years has been on finding local places for our family to travel, finding locations across South Africa that are affordable, and family friendly with activities and amenities for the whole family to enjoy in comfort. If you are looking for a great weekend away, then Champagne Castle Hotel ticks all of these boxes and then some.

If you are looking for a truly magical weekend away, less than 4 hours from Johannesburg, Champagne Castle Hotel is magical. There are other hotels nearby that may cater more for children, but for us, and our children, Champagne Castle Hotel was perfect. It was particularly misty when we were there, which just added to the magical charm. With the horses grazing in the paddocks, overlooked by the giant mountain peaks,  I felt like I was walking through a storybook.

Hot Wheels Friction Car Review

Hot Wheels Friction Car Review

Posted on by Rebecca

A few weeks ago we were sent some Hot Wheels Friction cars to test out and review. The boys have been avid hot wheels fanatics since the day they learnt they could push a car and we have gotten creative in a number of ways with our smaller die cast toys. I’ll be honest though, as they get older, they are leaning more towards bigger cars and cars with “special features” so I jumped at the chance when I heard about these.

The Hot Wheels Friction Car features light effects, realistic sounds and all of the quality you would expect from a brand such as Hot Wheels. In comes in an assortment of 3 different colours and takes 3xAG13 batteries. There is always something so magical about Hot Wheel cars.

So what did we think?

I love that Hot Wheels are creating bigger cars and are diversifying more than the traditional “die cast collectables” and race tracks. The cars have an awesome friction system that moves by pressing it down and back. The boys had a blast racing each other along the corridors and the cars even do a cool “drift” thing and turn around. According to Yusuf, he likes the sound the best and according to Aadam, he likes the “speed and lights”. In terms of age range, they would be perfectly suited for 3-4 year olds. The features are basic enough for younger kids to play with. They are incredibly hardy and wont break easily, trust me, my boys tested them against the walls and stairs!

What’s in the box?
1 x Hot Wheels friction car with lights and sound.

We also got sent a Hot Wheels – Friction Asst. This doesn’t require any batteries and is a super entry level basic friction car. It comes in 4 assorted designs, rubber wheels and a friction feature. My little one loved driving this through the sand, and because there are no batteries this one can safely be dragged through mud and water without any concern.

Price and where to buy:

These Hot Wheels are avaliable from Takealot.com, Laceys, Toys R Us and most leading retailers.

Hot Wheels Friction Car with Lights and Sound (15cm) //RSP: R120

Hot Wheels Fast machine Friction  //RSP: R400

Hot Wheels Friction Car with Lights and Sound (25CM)// RSP R230

Playing with cars isn’t just for “fun” and there are several important lessons to learn, including cause and effect, physics and friction. Not to mention a little healthy competition with racing 🙂 So if you are still looking for a Christmas present for your 3 to 6 year old car fanatic; these Hot Wheels are a pretty awesome option.

Disclaimer – We were sent these toys to review, but all opinions are my own.

Cybex e-Priam Review – When strollers meet technology

Cybex e-Priam Review – When strollers meet technology

Posted on by Rebecca

Well, the future of baby transport is here and it is clearly very “electrifying”! Baby gear brand Cybex, are known for their fashion forward designs, and they recently launched the first ever “e-stroller”, the e-Priam.

Festive Guide To Gauteng 2019

Festive Guide To Gauteng 2019

Posted on by Rebecca

Its that time of year !!! I cannot actually comprehend how quickly this year has passed, and it is literally one year to the day since I last wrote my festive guide. This time next week, my eldest will officially be on school holidays, which means, i’ll be left thinking of ways to entertain the family, trying to think of places to go. We have another “staycation” upon us this year, so I’m trying to get creative and explore new areas. If you have any suggestions, lay them all on me as we road trip around as a family of 5.

If you are looking for activities to do at home with the kids, have a look at my “Activities for Kids” tab on the website. I have endless activities and ideas to entertain your kids.

For a full list of my favourite places to take kids (of all ages), have a look at my Keeping Kids Entertained in Joburg Article.

Now onto December specific events and places:

Festive themed events

The Lion King live in concert

I’m plugging this into “festive themed” because there is no better way to kick of the holiday season then by taking in this epic production. The advert literally gives me goosebumps! Accompanied by the Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra, this will be a movie experience unlike any other you have had before. This is the perfect family-fun filled activity to get your holiday spirit going! It will be on at the Sun Arena – Times square from Tuesday, 10 December 2019 – Thursday, 12 December 2019. Tickets available through Computicket and start from R150.

Destination Christmas with Melrose Arch

The lights are officially up so I can declare festive open in Gauteng 🙂 Melrose Arch always has the prettiest light display. Go early to avoid the crowds and book a table somewhere after for dinner.

Garden of Lights – Emperors Palace

The return of the Garden of Lights – one of my favourite festive season events – and this year, it promises to offer even more fun for the whole family. Featuring a winter wonderland, light extravaganza and yuletide adventure, all rolled into one. The event will set Gauteng skies alight in the picturesque gardens the five-star Peermont D’oreale Grande hotel at Emperors Palace. It runs from 29 November 2019 to 05 January 2020 and opens from 19h00 – 22h00.

Joburg Zoo Festival Of Lights

1 December 2019 to 5 January 2020

Whether you celebrate Christmas or not, lets face it, everyone loves fairy lights. They hold so much magic and beauty. The festival of lights at the Zoo is expected to be their biggest yet and features a collection of illuminated life-size animal characters with classical, harmonious performances, food and craft markets for visitors. Take a stroll through the zoo on a designated illuminated route away from the enclosures and under the captivating, lit up trees.Get there early in December to catch a classical performance of the Nutcracker by Joburg Ballet who will perform in the bandstand from 1 – 8 December. It opens from 7pm until 10pm each night and tickets are R60 for kids and R120 for adults.

The Nutcracker’s Winter Circus

11th of December 2019 – 5th of January 2020.

The Nutcracker’s Winter Circus returns exclusively to Sandton City and its bigger, better and back for another spectacular season. Without a doubt, this was one of my highlights last year and it was watched by nearly 22 000 people! This year’s adventure includes creative master puppetry, set to bring a host of fun and fantastical characters to life, with the Parade of the Animals, adding a captivating new dimension to the show.

There are four performances daily at 10h30, 12h30, 15h30 and 17h30, seven days a week, (excl. Christmas Day, Day of Goodwill and New Year’s Day). Tickets are available from www.ticketpros.co.za at a cost R20 online (with no charge for children under three years) or by visiting selected Edgars, CNA, Jet, POSTNET stores. Tickets are also available at the door for a R30 fee. This is a a fairy tale fit for the whole family.

Peter Pan on Ice

6 December 2019 – 11 January 2020

Oooohhhhh but my boys are excited for this one! They watched the original movie the other day at home and we drive past the billboards every morning. There is no getting away from watching it!

Take a journey to Neverland in this classic tale of magic and make-believe, spectacularly staged on real ice. The show included a whopping 23 former World, European and National Championship-level skaters. Collectively, the entire cast holds more than 250 competition medals and will bring their athletic and artistic talents to retell J M Barrie’s well-loved story of Peter Pan. It will be held in the Teatro, every Tuesday, Saturday and Sunday for the duration. Tickets range from R150-R475 pp and are available through Computicket.

Christmas Festival With The Lipizzaners

Every weekend from the 9th December through to the 22nd.

Held at the Lipizzaner Centre in Kyalami, these beautiful “dancing” horses are historic in Joburg. A wonderful outing for the whole family, this is a magical morning.

Walter Sisulu Wonderland of Lights

1 December 2019- 4 January 2020

There was a bit of a hiccup earlier in the year with their winter light set up, but lessons learnt and this promises to be one for the whole family to enjoy. There are a number of Carol nights lined up, so keep an eye on their facebook page for more detail.

T

Theatre

I actually don’t know where to start, there are some incredible shows on. If your in the mood for something a little more cultural, why not take in one of Joburg’s holiday shows?

I’ve already mentioned Peter Pan on Ice that will be showing at Monte Casino until 11 January – that’s top of our list, but here are a few more, locally produced shows that you should try to check out.

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Jr.

2 November 2019 to 22 December 2019

The People’s theatre brings this childhood favourite to life. Based on the beloved film version of Ian Fleming’s children’s book, with a score by the Sherman Brothers (Mary Poppins), Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Junior. is a family-friendly blockbuster filled with stage spectacles and Academy Award-nominated songs. Fun for the whole family. Tickets from R149.

Jack and the Beanstalk

It wouldn’t be Christmas without something from Janice Honeyman. It is a tale about a poor country boy, Jack, the family cow, magic beans, an unfriendly giant, an enchanted goose and an enormous beanstalk. It is showing at Joburg Theatre and tickets start at R115.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

Runs until 22 December

My boys adore the Johnny Depp movie (as well as the book), so its a no brainer we are going to try and watch this classic. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is a theatre adaption by Richard George based on the original classic by Roald Dahl. The entire production is smoothly tied together by an energetic and personable Narrator. It’s on at the National Children’s Theatre in Parktown and tickets start at R70.

Mall Entertainment 

I know everyone always makes fun of Jo-burgers and their love of malls, but seriously, there are some epic line ups this festive season.

I’ve already mentioned Sandton City, with their Nutcracker circus, but they aren’t the only ones with a great December line up.

Mall of Africa – Dino Adventure Park

7 December – 5 January 2020.

Mall of Africa is always on the forefront of great kiddies entertainment. This year they have chosen to go with a Dinosaur theme! Waterfall Park will be transformed into an adventure dinosaur playground to be enjoyed by the whole family

Cresta Shopping Centre

Cresta has been going all out with entertainment for the family over the past few years, and this year proves no different. There is a huge selection of things to do and activities to keep the little ones busy, including:

FESTIVE CRAFT STATION 14-24 December 2019 – Situated at the Castle Play Area in the Banking Court. There will be a variety of festive crafts for kids to choose from including making their own decorations such as Christmas baubles. Entrance is absolutely free with the option to pay for some of the more bespoke crafts if desired. Don’t forget to take a pic with Santa at R30 a photo.

They also have several workshops being hosted through the Jata Holiday Club and Young Engineers throughout the December holidays. Visit Cresta’s website for more information and individual pricing options.

Silverstar Casino – Beach festival

5 December 2019 to 11 January 2012.

  • Sand castle building competitions
  • Tug of war competitions
  • Hoola hoop competitions
  • Ice-cream eating competitions
  • Inflatable waterslide
  • Face painting
  • Beach volleyball

Cradlestone Mall

5 December – 5 January 2020

The kids had an absolute blast at the activation at Cradlestone last year, and I’m sure this year will be no different. If you are out that side of town on a day trip (there is a bunch of stuff to do in the area), it’s worth stopping by to let the kids play. The theme this year is “Santa’s World Of Wonder”.

Family days out

National Military Museum

OK, it may not take a whole day out but when paired with the Joburg next door it can be! This is one of our favourite places to take the boys and it doesn’t cost a fortune. The history is incredible and the kids will love playing on the old plane and jeep in the play area.

Gold Reef City

Still one of Joburg’s top family attractions. 16 thrill rides, 14 dedicated rides for the kiddies, Jump City Trampoline Park, there’s fun for all ages here!

Hartbeespoort Dam

Click here for a full blog post on all the things to do in Haarties. It’s WELL worth a day trip!

Sun City

Always a life saver when it comes to holidays and close enough to go for the day. Spend the day at the Valley of the waves or book in overnight. There are a whole range of kids activities from mini golf to a bird park and steam train rides.

Animal interactions

Lets face it, these are particularly popular with little kids and toddlers. They’ll be delighted to be given a chance to touch and feed the rabbits, goats, chickens, ducks and more. Be sure to take some animal feed with or you may purchase at the venue as well. For a full comprehensive list check out our favourite activities to do in Joburg.

Bird Garden – Monte Casino 

We have been going here since the boys were small. The only bird park of its kind in Africa and perfect for all ages! Take a stroll through the gardens and aviary and see a wide variety of bird life, reptiles, and other exotic animals. It also has a café and a cute kids play area.

Crazy Kids Farmyard

A diamond in the middle of a bustling city. Crazy Kids has also recently had a bit of a refresh with some new animals (including another pony and a friendly pig). It is literally smack bang in the middle of a residential area in Randburg. It has a huge variety of play equipment for kids, a ton of bikes to ride around and an epic sandpit. This is a winner, everyday of the week.

Old MacDonald’s Farm Yard (The Fat Olive Restaurant)

This is a true hidden gem. Home to the Fat Olive restaurant and a Beach bar, Old MacDonald’s has free roaming Zebras, geese, duck and a whole mini farmyard for kids to feed/interact with. Hop on a Canoe and row around the lake with the kids.

Lori Park Zoo

Holds a nice variety of crocodiles, predator birds and of course lions/ leopards – though I do feel for the bigger cats as their enclosures are very, very small.

Crocodile City

Crocodile & Reptile Park where the visitors interact with a variety of reptiles. The boys got an educational talk on crocs, on how thick their skin is and got to hold and observe their eggs. They also house a number of reptiles and much to my horror my boys lined up to hold the snakes. When you are done, why not zipline over the crocs?

Willow Feather Farm (Pretoria)

Originally started off as an Indigenous tree farm, Willow Feather now hosts a nursery, tea garden and awesome Farmyard for kids. They have a number of interactive activities for kids and the number of animals in the Farmyard is exceptional. Alpacas, pigs, bunnies, cows. Kids can get up close and personal to the animals and of course participate in feeding. There’s also a wonderful kiddies play area to keep little ones busy while mums’ can enjoy hot tea and scones.

Rhino and Lion Park

Joburgs’ nearest”far away” place. The Rhino and Lion Park is a fantastic family day out. Take a “safari” through the nature reserve (Its actually a proper reserve unlike some other lion parks in the area), try and spot their newest baby Rhino or visit the baby cubs at the breeding center. Enjoy a leisurely lunch at the Thatch Cafe while the kids ride up a storm on their incredible bike track. End your day with the ever popular feeding of giraffes for some special family memories.

Have I given you enough ideas? I dont want to hear anyone is “bored” over the holidays in Gauteng :).

There are a whole lot more places featured in my keeping kids entertained article such as Roll Egoli, Adventure Golf, Acrobranch and Bounce, so be sure to check that too.

Happy Holidays!

Inspired by unique South African Stories, Clorets creates a limited edition board game.

Inspired by unique South African Stories, Clorets creates a limited edition board game.

Posted on by Rebecca

Do you ever find yourself in situations that take longer than you expected? Moments that require confidence to help you push through them in hopes of a better outcome. Those “I think we should talk” moments or simply an interview which took longer than you had anticipated.

Clorets, the #1 fresh breath expert, believes that in moments like these we all need a little more confidence and a boost that will make us Breathe Out Proudly, For Longer.

This is why Clorets will be calling game-time on life’s awkward moments as it sets out to create Mzansi’s first limited edition board game this summer.

Breathe Out Proudly, For Longer – The Game, will be a culmination of SA’s best awkward moments, that when played, will embrace, tackle and eliminate all those awkward moments through a boost of confidence and laughter!

To create The Game, Clorets will need your help and they will be calling on you and fellow South Africans to share stories where you needed that extra bit of confidence to keep going.

To participate and help drive the collection of these stories, tune into Hot FM, Algoa FM and Smile FM from 18th to 22nd of November 2019 during the breakfast shows.  Hear top South African comedians Chris Forrest, Ndumiso Lindi and Glen Biderman-Pam share their stories on air and participate by submitting your own funny awkward story via Whatsapp voice note on 084 221 2919 (Hot FM), Telegram voice note on 0617 940 940 (Algoa FM) and on the Smile 90.4 FM app or via their SMS line on 35904. Data rates apply.

The fun doesn’t end there, listeners who submit the best stories, will stand a chance to win instant prizes worth R3000 per day.

Also spreading the word and helping to collect more side-splitting stories for The Game are comedians Kurt Schoonraad and Dave Levinsohn who will be embarking on a comedy roadshow with Clorets.

The comedy roadshow kicks off on the 14th of November 2019 in Johannesburg from where the funny duo will road trip to perform in Port Elizabeth, Knysna, Pringle Bay and Cape Town. Consumers stand a chance to win tickets to their live shows in those respective cities. All consumers have to do is follow Clorets Facebook and lookout for the competition post to win tickets to the shows.

Join Clorets with Kurt and Dave on:

  • 15 November 2019 at 20h00 – Protea Marine Hotel Venue in Port Elizabeth
  • 16 November 2019 at 19h00 – Knysna Yacht Club in Knysna
  • 18 November 2019 at 20h00 – Hangklip Hotel in Pringle Bay
  • 20 November 2019 at 20h30 – Cape Town Comedy Club in Cape Town

Clorets will also be collecting your stories at the following activations across the country:

  • Johannesburg
    • 30 November 2019 – Soweto Comedy Festival
    • 13-15 December 2019 – Fourways Mall
  • Pretoria
  • 22-24 November 2019 – Menlyn Mall
  • Durban
  • 15-17 November 2019 – Gateway
  • Cape Town
  • 29 November-1 December 2019sss – Cape Town festival of Beer

“Clorets SA wants to enable people to show up and show off with that extra confidence in whatever moment they’re in. We also want to involve South Africans in the creation of this exciting game, because it will allow us to share a lot of human truths that we can all relate to. We want to reassure South Africans that it’s okay to find themselves in those awkward moments and serve a reminder to everyone that with Clorets, you can help make it better.” says Nadia Matlala, Category Brand Manager for Gum at Mondelez.

Clorets 40 Minutes, with its active ingredients of extra Actizol and Chlorophyll, is the only gum that not only masks bad breath, but eliminates it, helping you Breathe Out Proudly, For Longer. Available nationwide in Green Mint and Eliminator.

Breathe Out Proudly, For Longer with Clorets and be part of The Game! Simply tune in to the participating radio stations, pop in at any of the Clorets activations and Comedy Roadshow performances.

Like and follow #BreatheOutProudlyForLonger on the Clorets Facebook and @CloretsSA Twitter pages for more information.

T’s & C’s apply.

**Paid partnership with Clorets SA**

We Are Counting Down Until Comic Con / Kids Con 2019.

We Are Counting Down Until Comic Con / Kids Con 2019.

Posted on by Rebecca

Pop-culture fans unite! We are gearing up for the most interactive four-day pop culture festival, Comic Con Africa, and this year Kids Con is joining in on the action!

Comic Con Africa focuses on all elements of pop culture, including cosplay, comic books, anime, manga, film and series, games and books and authors. The festival also features a large range of pop culture and entertainment elements in animation, toys, gadgets, clothing, collectible card games, video games, webcomics, and fantasy novels and the ever-popular Artists’ Alley.

This year sees a programme that is bigger than ever before, catering to the hardest of pop-culture fans, newcomers and kids. Five halls jam packed with competitions, seminars, workshops and over 160 hours of content, you can bet we are ready to geek out! It’s pop-culture paradise with almost 300 exhibitors offering event specials on everything from gaming hardware and accessories, apparel, pop-culture merchandise, comics, figurines and much more, my boys have been counting down for weeks! We have a superhero wish list ready to go!

As usual there will be no disappointment when it comes to the list of appearances, international stars like legendary actor, author, producer and director, William Shatner, as well as Anthony Mackie, (Falcon in the Marvel Cinematic Universe), these are just two of the big names who will be at Comic Con Africa 2019. Visitors will also be able to meet and interact with local trailblazers like Jason Masters, who has worked on various Batman titles including Legends of the Dark Knight, Guardians of the Galaxy, Wolverine and X-Men as well as Sean Izaakse, a Marvel illustrator and comic artist who has worked on comics such as The Thunderbolts, Avengers, Deadpool and Captain America.

It’s not only the ultimate kids paradise with all the superhero’s they can think of, but one of the partner sponsors of KidsCon this year is Jaguar Land Rover. A number of exciting activities have been arranged for children to experience the thrill and technology of Jaguar, and adventurous nature of Land Rover. There will be giveaways from Jaguar Land Rover for young adventurers willing to get their hands dirty, a collection of branded goods for all age groups will be on sale and a full-size Jaguar F-PACE like you have never seen before ! Brands such as Lego and Hasbro have jumped on board and will be providing entertainment and activations for the kids, along with the best of the best in terms of merchandise to purchase.

Dress up in your best cosplay outfit to join the hundreds of singing stars at the Cosplay Karaoke Café, and compete in the Championships of Cosplay competition. If you are a gaming enthusiast, geek out in a dedicated gaming hall with freeplay zones, racing SIMs and the latest gaming equipment.

Don’t miss a moment, keep “App” to date with all things Comic Con Africa by downloading the Comic Con Africa App. It allows attendees to plan their experience and gives a full breakdown on whats on in each hall.

Where to buy tickets:

Comic Con Africa and Kids Con 2019 takes place this weekend, the 21-24 September, at Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand. A ticket to Comic Con Africa gives you access to the dedicated KidsCon Hall. Get your Comic Con Africa tickets now at http://bit.ly/CCA_KidsCon or www.computicket.co.za

Giveaway

Head on over to my instagram page and you may just get lucky and win tickets for a family of 4 to attend Comic Con 2019, on Tuesday 24 September!

Postpartum Beauty Tips

Postpartum Beauty Tips

Posted on by Rebecca

Ok, so I’ve climbed down off my “pregnancy pedestal” or rather, I came crashing down. The pregnancy “glow” has most definitely faded and now I’m dealing with dry brittle nails and hair, lackluster spotty skin, hormone levels that are out of sync and belly fat (I wont talk about my thighs) that isn’t disappearing as quickly as I would like. It’s like natures way of ensuring there’s no way in hell I’ll fall pregnant again soon 🙂 🙂

With the lack of sleep and constant dehydration due to breastfeeding, I have had to up my game and there have been a few products that I have focused on to help me regain a little “glow”.

Supplements – Pregnancy supplements – Yes, pregnancy. I would highly encourage everyone to keep taking these crucial multivitamins for the “fourth trimester” as well. Your body desperately needs to replenish the vitamins and minerals. I’ve noticed a massive difference since I started taking collagen supplements again as well. Most noticeably in my nails but also in the fine lines around my forehead. Make sure you keep hydrated, something I am so very bad at. If I could swap the cups of tea I drink in a day for glasses of water I am so sure I wouldn’t have half the problems!

Show your hair extra love – Oh that postpartum hair loss; I’ve been soaking up every treatment possible, but without a doubt, the one that’s made the biggest difference is my Moroccan Hair Oil. I have been using the shampoo and conditioner and its been soaking up each inch of moisture. I finish off with a dab of the oil and my hair is much softer. Get your hair done if it makes you feel good again, I’m definitely due to get my highlights re done again. Recently I’ve started to experiment with a mixture made up with my Young Living essential oils from Hello Essentials. Watch this space, if it helps with the hair loss you can bet i’ll be posting about it!

Spoil your Skin – both your body and your face. I’ve been using a Matsimela sugar scrub once a week and on a Sunday night I have a “me bath”, soaking in magnesium salts and a lush bath bomb to lift my mood. I’ve also been trying out Optiphi’s body curve range. I used the scar therapy on my tummy after birth (in addition to bio-oil) to combat any stretch marks.

Be firm with your face – I have been trying to be strict with my routine. I’ve gone back to basics and twice a week I use my Dermalogica daily microfoliant and every day, morning and night I have been using biolumin-c serum coupled with skin smoothing cream. To give my skin a little treat I have been using the Coco Mask from Skin & Tonic London. Naked Organiks has brought this cult favourite brand to South Africa. They believe in pure, simple ingredients and I am loving that you mix your own mask. Its in powder form to preserve the contents and you mix it up as you use it.

Release those exercise endorphins – I’m writing to myself here (note to self Rebecca), when you feel ready again, try to get as much exercise as you can to get the blood flowing again. There is nothing better then a bit of circulation to bring a glow to your face. This is one area I need to focus on and I honestly feel the only thing that will pick me up again.

The main thing, no matter what products you use, is to take a little bit of extra time to give yourself some TLC. You are not getting enough sleep, your body has been through a massive change and drop in hormones, be kind to yourself and take the time to give your body thanks.

Disclaimer: I received some of these products as gifts but all opinions are my own.

Avengers Unite – Marvel Universe Is Coming To South Africa !

Avengers Unite – Marvel Universe Is Coming To South Africa !

Posted on by Rebecca

CALLING ALL SUPERHERO FANS !! This is one show we will NOT be missing !!!

It’s not often I write about things we haven’t experienced or actually been to yet but I am so excited about this event I just had to share it with the world! My kids will freak out when they realise they can see “Iron Man”, Captain America and Spider-Man “in person”.

For the first time ever in South Africa The Avengers, Spider-Man and Guardians of the Galaxy will join forces with Doctor Strange in this legendary battle to defend the universe from evil.

The Sun Arena at Time Square, Menlyn Maine will proudly host this action packed show. From the 24 January through to the 9th of February 2020, this epic arena stunt show has become the adventure no one wants to miss. Tickets go on sale at 9 am on Tuesday, 27 August 2019 only at Computicket.

There are special discounts for FNB customers available for pre-sale from 22 August to 5 September at Computicket.

Favourites like Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, Black Panther, Hulk, Black Widow, Wasp and Iron Fist, the Guardians of the Galaxy help fight the scheming, menacing and loathsome villains Loki, Yondu and Green Goblin. Audiences will join in the quest that sparks new feuds with old foes, pitting student against mentor, sister against sister and brother against brother.

It’s set to be a show filled with special effects, aerial maneuvers, pyrotechnics, martial arts, motorcycle stunts and vast 3D video projection in this completely new thrilling adventure. The floor show is enhanced with strobe lighting, lasers, fire and smoke along with substantial sound effects to set the location and heighten the excitement.  (Warning to any potential audience members who have photo sensitivity)

Visit www.computicket.com or your nearest Computicket service centre to book and the FNB preferential pre-sale ticket purchasing period is from 22 August to 5 September.

To discover more about Marvel Universe LIVE!, go to www.marveluniverselive.com, or visit the following social media channels:

We will definitely see you there !!