Fashion in Plett, on TV and in village backyards

Hello, Fomolistas

As we do every week we put together a selection of our favourite things for you, from great food and drink ideas to interesting people and of course, our finds.

What makes the week exciting

The South African brand Mungo from Plettenberg Bay, well-known for its beautifully woven towels, bed throws and other decor items now makes its own clothing line with pyjamas, dressing gowns, aprons, sarongs and scarves.

Mungo's designs not only compete with any trade mark in the world, it is also known for its sustainability principles regarding its products.

Fomolistas are big fans and we think it's a nice idea for a Christmas present.

Amazon is opening a new local ‘store'

Amazon has expanded its local offering with a new “storefront" called Shop Mzansi. It contains more than 160 local products such as toys, kitchen and home appliances, barbecue and outdoor products, luggage, baby and beauty products

Gautrain expansion plans

Gauteng premier Panyaza Lesufi has reiterated the province’s plans for a significant expansion of the Gautrain rail network. He says the provincial government will invest R120 billion in the next two years.

The expansion will see the Gautrain’s current 80km network extended to 230km, adding access to areas such as Soweto, Mamelodi, Fourways, Atteridgeville, Vaal, Lanseria, and Springs.

Xolile turns tyre tubes into bags!

This 27-year-old seamstress and Siswati cricket analyst from Msogwaba Village in Mpumalanga creates eco-friendly, durable, waterproof, ethically sourced and stylish bags from old rubber tubes of car tyres.  

Xolile Mabuza is the founder of Tendalo Trading, established in 2018 after she suffered a stroke that changed her life. 

After less than seven years in the industry, Xolile's creativity, business acumen and growth potential have earned her and Tendalo Trading a spot in the Creation Africa programme of 12 entrepreneur finalists. Read more.

Our Finds

#1 Take it from us – if you struggle with facial hair of any description, you need one of these. The Finishing Touch Flawless Women's Painless Hair Remover from R159 on Takealot.

#2 We love these bee hotels from R199 from gardening.co.za.

#3 Discover the Japanese art of bokashi composting, an innovative way of transforming organic waste into nutrient-rich soil! Bokashi, which means “fermented organic matter” in Japanese, presents a sustainable solution to gardening and waste reduction. A kit costs R599 at gardening.co.za – though bokashi products are now widely available, so shop around. What we love about bokashi composting, is that you can do it right in your kitchen if you want, and process all your food waste, even meat scraps.

On our boxes and screens

Slow Horses on Apple TV

The dysfunctional branch of the British MI5 is back for an exciting new season. Don't miss Gary Oldman and his team of contrarians. New episodes every Wednesday evening.

La Maison on Apple TV

An excellent drama series that gives fashion the showcase it deserves. The first two episodes are now available on Apple TV and new ones are released every Friday night. With Carole Bouquet, Amira Casar and Lambert Wilson. Rotten Tomatoes gives it 100%. Us too.

On our plates

Roasted cabbage with chive-mustard vinaigrette

Cabbage is having a moment, or rather, it is having another moment. We love this vegetable because it is cheap, nutritious and unpretentious. And it can be steamed, boiled and roasted in the oven or over a fire. We love it for its versatility and for how it can be dressed up or down. Long gone are the times when it only made its appearance in coleslaw (although we love that too). This recipe from Instagram is on our to-do list. As in tonight!

In our glasses

Limoncello spritz

Fill your glass with ice and a slice of lemon. Then, add:

• 60 ml limoncello
• 85 ml prosecco
• 30 ml soda water
• Garnish with a mint twig

Quote of the week

@jdemsey

#10 Ernest Hemmingway quips

Our favourite quotes from his letters and books:

#1 The way to make people trustworthy is to trust them.
#2 When people talk, listen completely. Don't be thinking what you're going to say. Most people never listen.
#3 But man is not made for defeat … A man can be destroyed but not defeated.
#4 Courage is grace under pressure.
#5 The world breaks everyone, and afterwards, many are strong at the broken places.
#6 Forget your personal tragedy. We are all bitched from the start and you especially have to hurt like hell before you can write seriously. But when you get the damned hurt use it –don't cheat with it. Be as faithful to it as a scientist – but don't think anything is of any importance because it happens to you or anyone belonging to you.

#7 Always do sober what you said you'd do drunk. That will teach you to keep your mouth shut.
#8 As a writer, you should not judge, you should understand.
#9 All modern American literature comes from one book by Mark Twain called Huckleberry Finn. American writing comes from that. There was nothing before. There has been nothing as good since.
#10 There is no friend as loyal as a book.

That's a wrap. A good week for you all.

♦ VWB ♦

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