15+ questions for Ingrid Jones

1. Describe yourself in a hashtag.

#thejonesedit 

2. Which international magazines do you read regularly?

I don't read magazines very often anymore. I do buy the South African decor magazines at the end of each year to enjoy all the beautiful pictures reflecting the festive season.

3. What do you listen to in your car?

CapeTalk, the wind and the sea. And when I drive through Sir Lowry's Pass Village on the way home, I roll down the windows, turn off the radio and enjoy the cacophony of sounds and smells bubbling up from the township. Its energy is refreshing. It's South Africa. This time of year it's Michael Bublé and Rod Stewart's Christmas albums.

4. Describe yourself as a child in Bonnievale.

A tomboy. A voracious reader because I was banished from sewing class to the library in standard 2. I cut and blow-dried girls' hair. Somewhere in between were ballet, piano lessons, bobby socks with fur kittens on them and botterbaan fun.

5. What do you think is the biggest advantage of growing up in the countryside?

Openness. Neighbours with whom you drank moerkoffie and ate home-baked bread. Beautiful gardens. Going to town on a Saturday and to church on a Sunday. Simplicity. The best Easter and Christmas times. Caring.

6. What did you want to be one day?

A writer. Or to be on a rostrum somewhere.

7. If you could choose again, would you do the same thing again?

One cannot wish life any other way.

8. If you could live and work in another country, which one would you choose?

The Netherlands.

9. Is there an older woman who has had a great influence on your life?

My godmother, Mamma Clarke. The most stylish woman ever.

10. What would you say to Kamala Harris if you could meet her today?

Read the room. Be more assertive. The high road is not always the best road. Know your opponent.

11. Who is your celebrity crush?

Celebrities leave me cold. But Blake Shelton is cute.

12. What do you find sexy?

One's brain. Intelligent, deep conversations. Tall. Attractive. Humour. Laughter. Empathy. Political sharpness. Doer.

13. Is there anything you regret? What would you do differently now?

There are many things I regret, but I cannot go back on my tracks. I prefer to live more aware of my footprints in the here and now. 

14. Who are your favourite South African writers?

A.H.M. Scholtz. Kirby van der Merwe. Marita van der Vyver. Cookbook writers.

15. If there were one book you could recommend to everyone, what would it be?

A.H.M. Scholtz's Vatmaar.

16. Do you consider yourself an Afrikaner?

No.

17. What do you think of Afrikaaps?

It is the people of the Cape's language of the heart.

18. Do you have a social life in Pringle Bay? Is there enough to do?

There's probably a lot to do here, but nothing that piques my interest. I am here for the silence and the sea. This is where my memories of the good times linger around my home after my husband's death and my daughter's departure to South Korea. It's my foothold.

19. What does your ideal day look like, your fantasy day?

Strings of light in the late afternoon, a long table set with everything I like, lots of champagne, my best friends, my smart child, deep sofas with deep cushions, lots of laughter and conversation, and jazz in the background.

20. If you could make one wish come true, what would it be?

A successful talk show. 

21. What does no one know about you?

One should at least retain something that's mysterious.

22. How would you describe your clothing style?

Eclectic. Colourful. I believe in style, not fashion; I wear what makes me happy.

23. Who are your favourite designers, local or international?

Helon Melon. Daisie Jo. Yayoi Kusama. Local designers from diverse backgrounds. 

24. What are you afraid of?

Things that move in the dark.

25. Favourite scents?

24 Faubourg. Colgate's apple-scented shampoo. Roses. Dettol. 

26. Are you an aesthete?

I believe so. I don’t do ugly. 

27. If you could choose a specific period in history to live in, which would it be?

Certainly not the Middle Ages. Nor the period of slavery. The here and now is more bearable. But in a time without any wars.

28. Which five ingredients are always in your fridge?

Sparkling wine. Cheese. Green figs. Masala. Korrelkonfyt.

29. Your most beautiful Afrikaans song?

“Op Blouberg se strand" by Laurika Rauch.

30. If you could invite three people to dinner, living or deceased, who would it be?

My late husband and parents. 

31. What are you looking forward to?

My child's happiness. Every day.

♦ VWB ♦

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