Marvellous Melissa

If you are not already a fan of the iconic footwear brand, Melissa (from Brazil) then you will be after reading this!

Melissa transforms plastic spheres into objects of desire.

They use a specially developed kind of plastic that is super comfortable, fully recyclable and perfumed (yes, my pair actually smells like strawberries!)

Over the years, Melissa has partnered with some of the world’s brightest design talents including fashion designers (e.g. Vivienne Westwood), architects (e.g. Karim Rashid and Zaha Hadid), and furniture designers (e.g. The Campana Brothers), among others.

You can order yours direct from www.melissaza.co.za otherwise they have just opened up a Pop-up Store (only until April 2013): Shop L85, Ground Level at Eastgate Shopping Centre (close to Ster-Kinekor Cinema)

From sexy stilettos to fabulous flats, Melissa shoes have re-invented the much-loved jelly shoe...that's for sure!

Fascinating Julia

I have found the perfect dress...and I speak from experience as I already own one of these!

It's from:

and it's called:

The dress is one size fits all and comes in over 20 different colours...

They've recently launched their new pastel range for Summer:

Or you can go with a slightly different style:

The above dress has a  pleated skirt.

The beauty of this dress is the fact that it's so versatile...you can wear your dress in any way that accentautes YOUR best features.

(Love their use of a plus-sized model ... it's just proves that you dont have to be a size 8 to look good in this dress!) *high five*

I love the fact that the dress can be 'dressed up' or 'down' and I often wear mine to weddings.

Nobody ever picks up that I'm always wearing the same dress as I just change the style each time.

Another great idea is to use this dress for your bridesmaids. They can all wear the same dress...yet customise it according to their personal style.

Genius! Go get yours here.

Utique

It’s about time somebody came along and did this…

When I was at the Design Indaba Expo in Cape Town earlier this year, I was blown away by the local talent that was exhibited there. From clothing and jewellery to ceramics and home ware, I realised just how ‘untapped’ our local designers really are.

At last someone has had the brainpower to provide a central online shopping point where these fantastic designers can now showcase their products (and we can buy them, naturally)

Utique is all about showcasing the very best of South African creative talent by carefully selecting products from local designers, artists and small businesses.

They are passionate about finding and sharing those special pieces that are actually produced in tiny studios all over SA.   

They have sought out these hidden gems of design talent and brought them together in a curated space that is beautiful, inspiring, and a pleasure to shop in…especially for original birthday gifts!

All of their suppliers are carefully chosen for their creativity, innovative style and quality.  From jewellery and ceramics to furniture and art, Utique is the place to indulge your sense for inspiring local designs.

The best part is that everything you buy from Utique.co.za is shipped directly from these small businesses.
This means that every time you shop at Utique, you’ll be directly supporting local creative talent…and it’s about time too!

I’m looking forward to watching this site grow with more and more great South African design!

CrossFit

"DOES YOUR WORKOUT MAKE YOU NERVOUS?"

What a brilliant question?

You should be a little nervous, not in terms of injuring yourself, but in pushing yourself and realising that what you thought your limit was, is actually way within your capacity!

Pushing your limits is NOT comfortable - if it was they wouldn't be called limits.

So get nervous or change your workout......"



Wow.

For fellow exercise junkies like myself, the above certainly warrants a bit of a wake up call. Especially when I realised that I've pretty much been doing the same workout format for the last three years!

No wonder I'm not getting the results I want!?

But, luckily the solution arrived just in time and I am addicted to it!

As I sit here typing this, I have burn marks on my knees from doing burpees, my hands are blistered from swinging a kettlebell and the bruises on my shins are from jumping onto a giant tyre .......and I flipping LOVE IT!

No doubt you must have heard about the 'CrossFit phenomenon' by now? Gareth Cliff was discussing it on his show a few weeks ago and this month's Women's Health, Men's Health and Living & Loving all feature articles on it.

CrossFit is the latest exercise phenomenon and it's definitely here to stay.

Developed in the USA, it is based on old-style military training and is used to train firefighters, marines, SWAT teams and the like....

CrossFit is functional training. You learn to develop your muscles in a way that supports your daily functions. Whether that's carrying a heavy toddler with one arm (that's me) or picking up your own heavy boxes, after doing CrossFit there's no need to call a man to get the job done!

Each day there is a new WOD (Workout of the Day) and no WOD is the same. Ever.

Whether a session lasts 20 minutes or 5 minutes, you will be exhausted...but with a big fat smile on your face.

CrossFit is not just for the super-fit (so there's no excuse!). Every exercise can be scaled according to your fitness level and age.

My own mom (let's just say she's JUST over 50...*wink*) does it regularly and kicks butt whilst doing mens push ups!

Whether you lift a 100kg barbell over your head or a PVC pipe, the movement is still the same...you just keep working your way up and, boy, is it rewarding when you realise you can do things that you never thought you'd be able to do!

But, undoubtedly, the best part of CrossFit is the sense of community. You're not training in a big commercial gym where you're nothing but a number and nobody cares if you're on level 2 or 42 of the treadmill.....

CrossFit classes are limited to a max of 15 people and EVERYONE knows your name...primarily so that they can yell at you to: "Come on! Just one more, Kerry!"

The little bit of healthy competition (either between your team mates or just yourself) goes a long way to keeping you motivated and coming back for more.

I really like the fact that they are not about quick fixes and drastic diets...their motto is "Look like an athlete because you train like one!"

That makes sense to me...and, believe me, the results speak for themselves! :) 

Kitticraft

I’m sure most of you will agree, we spend hours and hours perfecting our home décor. We make sure everything matches perfectly with just the right amount of contrast…

And then, in the corner of the room, lies the cat’s grubby bed:

It totally ruins the look! :(

The guys from Kitticraft were faced with this age-old problem of the bright-pink-hideously patterned-kitty bed glaring at them from the corner of their living room and so decided to do something about it.

They have just launched a range of designer furniture for the sophisticated cat (and home!) and it’s eco-friendly too!

They have everything from hanging beds, swings, baskets, scratching posts and more.

Now you can ensure that all your kitty’s accessories can work together to add value to the look of your home.

In fact, some of them are so fabulous looking that they are like art sculptures all on their own!