Jo Malone on-the-cheap, cool hiking gear and a cute enamel teapot

Quote of the week

What to know this week

In its popular series of collaborations with designers, fashion retailer H&M has started working with the imaginative Korean brand Rokh, by the designer Rook Hwang. And it's available in South Africa!

Don't miss out — from trench coats to dresses with detachable hems, flattering corset items and costume jewellery. Designer outfits at H&M prices. The series has been available since April 18 at H&M in Sandton City and at Superbalist.

Find of the week

Jo Malone sold her perfume empire to Estée Lauder in 1999. Malone has wonderful perfumes, but if you've ever walked into the softly lit shops with the little bottles with the white and black labels, you'll know they are outrageously expensive (R2,800 for 100ml).

After a trade restriction period, Malone is back with a new line of luxury perfumes — Jo Loves — and she is the nose behind Zara's perfume line, which is available in South Africa. Laboratory-inspired bottle designs contain perfume with high-quality ingredients and lovely formulations. At Zara you can buy a Malone perfume at a third of the price of the Jo Malone products (Romance d'Iris is Anneliese Burgess's favourite).

Buy

Pretty enamel pot

Ali van Wyk is nostalgic about an enamel pot that simmers on the slow plate of the Aga stove all day until the herb tea is dark red and rich. The classic yellow enamel pot is no longer dirt cheap, but if you're going to fork out R300 anyway you might as well buy this beautiful Agate premier quality red or white pot with a wooden handle for R299 at  Bob Shop. By the way, Bob Shop is the new name for the old auction website bidorbuy.co.za.

Hiking accessories

Ilse Bigalke recently went hiking in the Kruger National Park and a Fomolista never comes back without tips:

Shorts are sufficient if you know you're going to be walking on the beaten track in hot weather, but if you're venturing into the unknown (among wild animals), the answer is those long pants with zippers just above the knee that you can convert into shorts.

Several versions of these pants are available at places like Outdoor Warehouse, Cape Union Mart and elsewhere. She found K-Way's version extremely comfortable, with all kinds of pockets for essentials, such as a small camera or a knife, that you can quickly whip out like the legendary ranger Harry Wolhuter if you're charged by lions. The trousers are available at a 50% discount at Cape Union Mart (R649).

Another essential item is a hat that protects your ears, neck and entire face from the sun. This one from K-Way (R379) is ideal, with mesh inserts that allow ventilation and cool your head. It's versatile and useful for gardening, picnics or any outdoor activity.

Tortilla chips

We are obsessed with El Burro's tortilla chips, which are widely available in supermarkets. We cannot get enough of the Chilli and Lime Nacho flavour. Retails for about R28 a packet.

On our radar this week

Art compass from the north – Celeste Theron

If you feel like browsing through a bunch of trinkets with your kids this weekend, keep in mind the Tierlantynkies market at the 3CI Church in Zwavelpoort until May 1. Tickets cost R45 on the website and R50 at the door. Then until May 3 there is a solo art exhibition by Bronwyn Katz at Stevenson Johannesburg in Randburg. The Johannesburg Heritage Foundation is hosting a Desmond Tutu tour at St Mary's Cathedral on April 28: tickets cost R165 for members and R275 for ordinary visitors, who must book in advance.

The Suidoosterfees – Theo Kemp

The best thing about the Suidoosterfees is that you don't drive around and get lost. All roads lead to Artscape. Listen to the Jakes Gerwel talks. They're free and engaging. Then go and see all the NATi Jong Stars productions — young talent, raw and surprising. I'm putting my money on Nicola Hanekom's adaptation of Annemarié van Niekerk's book Onder 'n bloedrooi hemel. Hanekom has already won the Hertzog Prize for drama twice. Then go and see the “21" concert — because the festival is coming of age. Look at the city's lights, smell the scent of the Cape, watch dancing, buy art. The full programme is available at www.suidoosterfees.com; bookings at Webtickets.

They say…

Racquet sports such as table tennis, padel, badminton and tennis can make you live much longer.

This is how to cleanse your liver:

Video of the week

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