A dining experience that’s simply 2Thai4!

A decade ago, the average Joburger would be hard-pressed to name 10 destination-worthy Thai restaurants. However, as our city’s collective palate has expanded, so too have the options for this tantalising cuisine, so I recently made it my mission to find the very best Thai food in Joburg. Unexpectedly, I found it at a tremendously charming little eatery tucked away on Corlett Drive – say hello to 2Thai4!

I arrived at 2Thai4 a couple of weeks ago on a terribly chilly Friday evening with Nik, my boyfriend, for dinner. As we stepped inside, we were warmly welcomed by the friendly staff. I was immediately delighted by the creative yet somewhat homey interior – think lots of bright colours, authentic Thai décor, and a wonderful, big fireplace! It all made for a wonderfully relaxed and cosy atmosphere – just perfect for a freezing cold night.

To kick off the evening, Nik and I ordered up a round of Singha beers. I’m not a beer drinker as such, but I’ve got to say that I really enjoy those refreshing Thai brews! To eat, we decided we’d share two starters between the two of us; the Po Pia Tord (Thai spring rolls filled with shrimp) and Moo Satay (chicken satay). Our starters came out quickly and hit the spot just perfectly! The spring rolls were crisp with a flavourful filling, while the chicken was perfectly tender and the peanut sauce that accompanied it was ever so moreish.

For mains, I then decided on the Phad Thai Song Keung (stir-fried noodles with prawns, bean sprouts, chives, onions, garlic, eggs and peanuts), and Nik went for the Gaeng Keow Wan (their famous green curry with chicken, coconut milk and bite-size vegetables). All I can is wow … my dish was out of this world! I thoroughly enjoyed the interesting mix of flavours and textures. The base sauce of the dish was simply sublime, and there was a generous portion of prawns in there, too.

Nik’s curry, on the other hand, was also incredible. I don’t do super-spicy food so I was hesitant to try it at first, but I’m glad I did. Once again, the flavours were perfect and it was such a satisfying dish that I might even consider ordering it the next time that we visit! I might also add that the portions were huge, so we weren’t able to finish our dishes. However, you’ll be glad to know that the leftovers made for a delicious lunch the next day!

All in all, I had an incredible meal at 2Thai4 and will certainly be back time and time again to satisfy my Thai food cravings that tend to hit around this chilly time of year. The menu is extensive with a mouth-watering variety of authentic options, the food is honest, simple and pure quality, the service is attentive and friendly, and the place itself is sure to have you feeling as if you’re dining in one of those glorious Thai eateries in the heart of Bangkok.

The next time you find yourself dying for something spicy or soul-warming, head over to this awesome little place. It’s the perfect spot to keep warm this winter – trust me on that! If you’ve already paid them a visit, I’d love to hear your thoughts.

PS: 2Thai4 “spiced” up their menu last month. Be sure to visit soon to try out some of the yummy new additions!

DETAILS:

Address: 59 Corlett Drive, Melrose, Johannesburg

Phone number: 011 440 3000

Website: http://www.2thai4.co.za

Indulge in an evening riddled with romance at Maximillien Restaurant

When last did you and your partner treat yourselves to a romantic date night? I’m not talking about the mediocre kind, but rather the kind filled with top wines, fine food and live jazz in an intimate setting … for my partner and I, the last time was just last week at the ever-so-classy establishment that is Maximillien Restaurant situated in the Da Vinci Hotel and Suites right in the heart of Sandton – let me tell you all about it!

Nik, my boyfriend, and myself arrived at Maximillien Restaurant last Thursday at around 7pm. Upon arrival, we were served a round of champagne, which was the perfect way to set the mood for the evening ahead! I mean, who doesn’t just love a glass of bubbly? Our very kind and professional waiter then showed us to our table. The table for two was elegantly dressed with all white and was lit up by the glow of a candle … can you say intimate?

To start off, I opted to order the Caprese salad (complemented with cherry tomatoes and bocconcini cheese drizzled with basil pesto), while Nik went for the flash-grilled baby calamari with garlic butter (paired with crispy mozzarella risotto). Our starters arrived at our table rather quickly and were both simply sublime! My salad was light and fresh, while Nik’s calamari, which I was lucky enough to steal a bite of, was remarkably tasty and I just loved risotto balls that came with it.

For mains, I then ordered the seared salmon with sesame crust (complemented with vegetable ratatouille and pesto mash) with a glass of my favourite chardonnay to go with it. Nik went the meat route, and decided to have the lamb chops (infused with rosemary and garlic BBQ basting) paired with a glass of merlot. When our mains arrived at our table, I was also tempted to tuck in without snapping photos first – that’s how divine they looked!

My fillet of salmon was sumptuously fresh, and the sesame crust was something truly unique, which added a glorious texture to your normal old salmon dish. I also enjoyed every last mouthful of the sides that accompanied it. Nik said that his lamb chops were just as impressive, and that the BBQ basting that they were done in was something completely different that surprising complemented the dish amazingly well.

After finishing our mains, Nik and I decided to sit back with another round of wine and simply drink in the wonderfully elegant décor and the soft sounds of live jazz that filled the air. Sadly, we were too full to tuck into desserts, but we’ll sure we back soon to try some of the restaurant’s decadent offerings!

All in all, Nik and I had a fabulous evening out at Maximillien Restaurant. It really is one of the most elite spots in Sandton to indulge in a top-notch meal – the atmosphere is incredibly intimate, the décor and feel to the restaurant is elegant and exclusive, the food is sure to please even the most discerning palate, and the service is faultless!

PS: On Thursday evenings, Maximillien Restaurant has amazing local musicians perform who are sure to delight you and your date, so head on over for a pre-weekend razzle! If you’ve visited this divine restaurant already, please let me know what you thought of it – I’d love to hear from you!

DETAILS:

Address: Legacy Corner Mall, 2 Maude Street, Sandton CBD, Johannesburg

Phone number: 011 292 7111

Website: http://www.maximillien.co.za

Indulge in milkshakes and burgers at Brooklyn Brothers

Burgers and milkshakes … ah, two of my top guilty pleasures! If you too enjoy a big, tasty burger and a tall, decadent milkshake, you’ve got to try out Brooklyn Brothers! One of Joburg’s trendiest new burger joints, this spot has the most delicious diner-style foods on offer, from milkshakes and fries to wings and burgers. Everything is fresh, flavourful and unbelievably well-priced!

I popped into Brooklyn Brothers for a bite to eat last night with a friend of mine. We didn’t know what to expect. In my head, I pictured it to be nothing more than a glorified fast food joint … and boy, was I wrong! We arrived and were instantly impressed by the edgy glossy black walls, black and yellow décor, and funky lights.

 

 

Our friendly, informative waiter talked us through everything on the menu … and I’ll have you know that everything sounded so divine! I quite liked the informal yet classic diner-style menu, which is disposable and requires you to simply tick off whatever you want to order.

Between the two of us, my friend and I decided to order a number of dishes to try: The boneless Whacky Wings done cajun-style, the boneless Hot BB Wings, The Brooklyn Brothers Burger with a beef patty, The MOB-ster Burger with a chicken patty, The Brothers House Salad, and the Jalapeno Poppers.

 

 

 

Our food arrived quickly, and everything looked so juicy and delicious! I’ll admit that I was tempted to tuck in before snapping some photos (yup, the food looked that good!) … and anyone who knows me, knows that that’s something I never do!

Each dish was served on either a wooden board or in a basket. The burgers were wrapped, which I thought was a great practical touch to avoid too much mess when eating. Plus, each portion of food was huge!

 

 

 

The burgers were just to-die-for … they packed loads of freshness and flavour! After scoffing mine down, I barely had space left to taste anything else – but I did anyway (so much for my diet!). The wings were fantastic – nice and spicy (just the way I like them) on the outside, and juicy and tender on the inside.

The salad was a very generous portion, and was exceptionally fresh. The Jalapeno Poppers were perfectly crumbed and had the most delicious three-cheese filling … just beware – they are quite hot!

 

 

 

After our huge and very enjoyable meal, we I decided that our diner-style dinner wouldn’t be complete without milkshakes. I went for the That’s The Way The Cookie Crumbles shake, while my friend opted for the Peanut Butter Caramel. Our shakes arrived quickly and they were out of this world! It was simply love at first sip.

I really enjoyed Brooklyn Brothers a lot – the value for money is actually unreal. If you’re looking to pick up a tasty meal on-the-go, or to enjoy good food without breaking the bank, give this place a try. I promise you … you won’t be sorry! I can’t wait to go back … I’m still dreaming of that heavenly milkshake. Yum!

 

 

To locate your nearest Brooklyn Brothers, go here.

Get your glam on with Lush by Gemma

Who doesn’t love pretty nails? You can be sure that I do! Last weekend, I was invited over to Lush by Gemma, the chic beauty bar situated inside Ginger Salon in Parkmore, to have my nails done. Gemma, the lovely owner of LUSH, was warm and friendly and made sure I felt at home from the minute I walked in. After telling me about all of the services she offers – which includes facials, massages, spray tanning, nails and make-up – I decided I’d go for a Shellac pedicure.

 

 

For if you haven’t heard, Shellac is the newest and hottest nail treatment. It promises smudge-proof nail colour that lasts for weeks without chipping. And, let me tell you, it lives up to that promise! My nails still look as fabulous as they did on the day that they were done.

While I sipped on a foamy cappuccino, Gemma did a wonderful pedicure job for me. I was treated to a scrub, a buff and file, a paint and a massage. Just heavenly! I opted for a nude-beige nail colour that I’m now obsessed with! I want to get it done on my fingernails now, too.

 

Jeans and shoes both from Forever 21

 

The great thing about Lush by Gemma is that it caters to all of your beauty needs. You can even have your nails done by Gemma while you’re having your hair done at Ginger – how convenient? I can’t wait to return for an all-out pamper! Please just note that bookings are essential.

DETAILS:

Address: 78 11^th Street, Parkmore, Sandton, Johannesburg

Phone number: 011 326 7456

Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/Lush-by-Gemma/

Website: http://www.g4ginger.co.za/index.html 

PS: If you haven’t already read my review on Ginger salon, go here to read it now!

 

Explore the tastes of Joburg at The Landmark Bar

Have you ever wondered what Vilakazi Street might taste like as a cocktail? How about Alice Lane? Or perhaps the Rand Club is more your flavour? Well, wonder no more! Thanks to the stylish new cocktail bar in Bryanston that is The Landmark Bar, you can now explore our buzzing city like never before – in liquid form, that is.

So how did I stumble across this phenomenal place, you ask? So, a few short months back, a group of three friends and I had made a dinner reservation at Café Del Sol Botanico. And, we were shown to The Landmark, which is right next door to the restaurant, while we waited for our table. We learned then that The Landmark and Café Del Sol are in fact partners. Anyway, what a brilliant find!

From the minute you enter The Landmark, you’re sure to be overwhelmed by the rich, warm décor, the high ceiling bar, and the names of different cocktails plastered on the walls. Take a seat at the gorgeous bar, or sit back and relax on a plush couch in the lounging area, and get ready to take your taste buds on a journey!

Something I found really special about this bar from the minute I took a seat was their “100 classic cocktails to taste before you die list”. On this list, you’ll find cocktails under the categories of citrus, boozy, tall, refreshers, creamy, fruity, savoury, hot and herbal. (And, yes, I plan to try all one hundred before I die!)

On this particular evening, my friends and I decided to all order different drinks. Each cocktail we ordered was uniquely presented and absolutely divine! Every drink presented its own flavour explosion. I was actually blown away by how every detail of each cocktail was considered. The ingredients are sourced fresh and the bartenders are exceptionally knowledge and passionate about their art!

I loved every drink I sipped on, but the ones that really stood out to me were the Bellini (white peach, prosecco and Parma ham – yes, Parma ham!), the Rand Club (Islay Single Malt, ginger liqueur, lemon, demerara sugar, Angostura Butters and liquorice tea smoke), and the Radium (vintage brandy, Speyside Single Malt, Peychauds Bitters, honey, egg, dark ale and tavern vapour). In terms of presentation, I adored the Alice Lane, which was served in a flaming teapot, and the Muay Thai (pronounced “Ma Ta” in a typical Joburg boy’s accent, according to the bartenders – yes, they have a great sense of humour!), served in a tribal glass and garnished with tropical fruit.

In addition to their extravagant cocktail menu, The Landmark also showcases an extensive list of fine wines and craft beers. And, you can be sure that they take their wines and beers as seriously as their cocktails! Their wines in particular are all sourced from well-known estates in South Africa, with some rare vintages from around the world, complementing Café Del Sol’s Italian style and flavour. And, for if you were wondering, yes – you can order dishes from next door while you toss back a few drinks at The Landmark. The beer list, on the other hand, rotates every three months to offer styles for each new season.

In my opinion, what makes The Landmark particularly unique is that it’s all about context. Gareth Wainwright, the brain behind the bar, sends his barmen out into the streets with the sole purpose of creating cocktails they think resonate with specific locations. It’s part of his creation process. How awesome is that?

The Landmark is hopefully a sign of new things to come on the Joburg nightlife scene. It’s a pity it’s in a mall, but trust me – once you walk through those doors, you’re transported into a wonderful world of flavour! A perfect spot for after work drinks, a girl’s night, or a night out. And, you’re sure to be back more than once and not grow tired of what’s on offer, as Gareth refreshes his cocktail menu every six months to keep things interesting. Go pay this fabulous place a visit for yourselves, darlings! You won’t be sorry.

DETAILS:

Address: Bryanston Shopping Centre, Corner William Nicol & Ballyclare Drive, Bryanston, Johannesburg

Phone number: 011 463 5081

Facebook page:  https://www.facebook.com/landmarkcocktailbar

Website: http://www.thelandmark.co.za

Thomas Maxwell Bistro is the perfect spot for a romantic candlelit dinner for two

A couple of weeks ago, I stopped by my usual sushi spot to get takeaways on my way home from work. It was late in the evening, and the nearest open parking bay was quite a distance down from my sushi joint. For some reason, 11^th Street in Parkmore is always busy and bustling. Anyway, I parked my car and took a stroll up towards the restaurant. On my way there, I passed a rather intimate looking place… Big glass doors, with couples drinking red wine and indulging in what looked like top notch food under candlelight behind them. I was a bit confused.

If you’ve ever dined on 11^th Street, you’ll know that the places on this road aren’t exactly, ahem, glamorous… I gazed up at the signage above the doors. It read “Thomas Maxwell Bistro”. After picking up my sushi, I called up my boyfriend, Nik, and told him we were going to try a place called Thomas Maxwell for dinner that weekend. And we did.

That Saturday evening, we arrived at the bistro for dinner. I’d made a reservation a day in advance to ensure we’d get a table. As soon as I walked into Thomas Maxwell, a sense of calm and romance was triggered. The décor is super simple, but ever so beautiful. I loved the soft lighting, which made for a very relaxing ambience.

Our very warm and welcoming waiter seated us at a cosy little table near the back of the one dining room (there are two small-ish dining rooms; in total the restaurant seats 65 people). The table was gorgeously lit up by candles. Just what I wanted! Because we all look flawless under the golden glow of candlelight, you know?

We were handed a specials menu, the standard menu and a wine list. The kind of cuisine you can expect at Thomas Maxwell is contemporary French. The unique bistro is sure to satisfy you with an exceptionally well thought out and enticing menu that’s perfectly matched to their comprehensive wine list. Nik and I first ordered a bottle of Meerlust that arrived promptly.

One of the chefs then came over to our table to make a couple of recommendations and tell us about their specials. Deciding on a single dish was a tough call… He made everything sound so divine! I ended up going for their signature Mushroom and Wild Porcini Risotto (a rich black mushroom and wild porcini risotto complemented by fresh parmesan cheese and a touch of truffle oil). Nik ordered the Henwood’s Beef Pasta (strips of pepper fillet and chorizo tossed with penne pasta in a spicy Napolitana sauce, topped with wholegrain mustard cream). The food didn’t take long to reach our table, and it truly blew us away when it did! It was amazing! Our expectations were certainly surpassed. Beautifully presented, wonderfully flavourful generous portions… Both of our dishes were just amazing.

Although Nik and I were pretty full after finishing up our mains, we couldn’t resist ordering dessert. I ordered the Beignets (Thomas Maxwell’s take on French doughnuts, served with cinnamon sugar and dreamy chocolate dipping sauce), and he went for the Lemon Tart (three mini light and tangy lemon tarts topped with slices of fresh strawberry). The desserts were as gorgeous and delicious as our main meals. Every bite was memorable!

I’ll definitely go back to Thomas Maxwell again and again. In fact, I’ve been planning my next visit ever since perusing other tasty choices on their menu like Duck and Porcini Pietettes, Warthog Carpaccio and Prawn Pasta. Yum! Darlings, if you’re looking to wine and dine at a non-invasive yet vibrant French-inspired establishment, this is the place! Thomas Maxwell is really such a lovely surprise in the middle of Parkmore. And trust me – it’s worth every penny!

DETAILS:

Address: 140 11^th Street, Parkmore, Sandton, Johannesburg

Phone number: 011 784 1575

Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/thomas-maxwell-bistro

Website: http://www.thomasmaxwell.co.za

Say hello to GORGE – Joburg’s newest fresh food café!

Let me tell you something: Contrary to popular belief, healthy food isn’t restricted to carrot sticks and cardboard-tasting crackers. We’ve come a long way over the past few years to banish the stereotype that food that’s good for you doesn’t taste great. Over the weekend, I attended the opening of GORGE, Joburg’s newest fresh food café, who proved to me that drinks and eats that are healthy and nutritious can also be downright delicious!

Anyone who knows me knows that I’m very much about all things fresh, raw, organic and the like. The problem I have, though, is finding cafés that offer a healthy menu that’s both tasty and affordable. And that’s why I’m so excited about the opening of GORGE! This upmarket owner-run eatery is devoted to providing meals that are fresh and healthy to the busy people of our city at very reasonable prices.

Their menu is extensive (I’ll get to that in a moment), and all of the ingredients they use are locally-sourced, organic whole food products, meaning that they’re unprocessed as well as free from hormones, food colourings and sweeteners. They also accommodate for all dietary constraints, including gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian and Banting.

Off their exciting menu, I first ordered up a Bulletproof Coffee. GORGE is the only café in Joburg that offers this energy- and immune-boosting brew, which is blended with healthy fats like grass-fed butter and MCT oil. Don’t let the sound of it put you off – once you try it, you’ll be spoilt for other coffee (go here to read about how bulletproof coffee has changed my life)… Trust me! Other beverages they have on offer include organic teas, organic craft coffees, smoothies, freshly-squeezed juices and iced teas.

Once I grabbed my coffee which was rich, creamy and satisfying, I took a seat at the counter on the breezy deck out front. I perused their selection of breakfasts, salads, sandwiches and wraps, then decided I’d order two wraps to taste. When you order a sandwich or wrap, you can choose from whole-wheat, rye, seeded, white poppy seed or Banting bread and a whole-wheat or cauliflower wrap respectively.

The decision was tough with everything sounding so tasty, but I ended up going for the Chicken Herb (free-range chicken, avocado, hummus and roasted red pepper topped with fresh coriander for R47) on a whole-wheat wrap, and the Smoked Salmon Trout (smoked salmon trout shavings with homemade citrus mayo and crisp baby spinach leaves seasoned with Mediterranean black sea salt for R49) on a cauliflower wrap.

Both wraps were fresh and flavourful with a generous amount of filling. I enjoyed every mouthful! Then, to finish off my meal, I tried out two smoothies – the Banana Nutter (peanut butter, banana, milk and honey for R32) and The Hulk (avocado, apple juice, milk, yoghurt and honey for R34). Both smoothies were velvety and decadent – I especially loved The Hulk, which is certainly one of the best green smoothies I’ve tasted! And you know that I’m the ultimate green smoothie drinker…

If you’re in a rush and don’t have time to sit down and eat, you can grab something ready-made from the fridge. They have everything from fresh green juice to power oats jars. And, as if that isn’t enough, GORGE also has a selection of homemade goods on sale that you can buy to take home with you, like white poppy seed bread, black cherry and pink champagne jam, and raw cacao truffles. I must also mention that they stock nut butters by our best local brand, Jozi’s Nut Butters. (The toasted coconut cashew butter is to-die-for, I might add!)

Overall, I had a very pleasant experience at GORGE. The ambience is vibey, the service is very warm, welcoming and attentive, and everything they have on offer is simply divine! I can’t wait to go back to try a few more things off the menu. Pop in for breakfast or lunch, or have them deliver something fresh directly to your office or home at http://www.gorgesa.co.za.

GORGE is also the perfect spot for entrepreneurs, flexi-workers or freelancers to stop in at to get some work done. With excellent coffee and unlimited speedy WiFi, they certainly meet the criteria of a trendy “coffice”!

This is a place you need to go and check out for yourselves. It’s already growing popular amongst the coffee lovers and health connoisseurs of the city, so don’t miss out! GORGE is open from 7am to 5pm on weekdays and 8am to 1pm on weekends.

DETAILS:

Address: Boskruin Village, Corner President Fouche & Hawken Road, Boskruin, Johannesburg

Phone number: 011 793 8146

Facebook page:  https://www.facebook.com/mygorge

Website: http://www.gorgesa.co.za

I had a hair makeover at the trendy new Ginger salon in Parkmore – here’s what I thought

I have something exciting to tell you… Over the weekend, I had a hair makeover. That’s right – a full-on makeover! For all my life, I’ve had light blonde locks that I’ve maintained with a monthly half head of highlighters AKA a root refresher.

Then, in January this year, I decided to step out of my comfort zone for the first time ever and go chocolate brown. My boyfriend and all my friends had been urging me to do it for months and months considering I have bright blue eyes, which they convinced me would stand out even more if I had darker hair.

Anyway, long story short – I regretted making that decision instantly. I hated my chocolate brown hair from the minute I first saw it in the mirror! It took me four visits to the hairdresser and lots of treatments to claim back my signature blonde locks. Once I got back to my desired shade of blonde, I swore I’d never change my hair colour again. Ever!

Then, a couple of weeks ago, I received an invitation to visit the newly-established Ginger hair salon in Parkmore and review their services. Now, for a good couple of months, I’ve been totally obsessed with the grey hair trend. If you live on WeHeartIt and Tumblr like I do, you’ve definitely seen what I’m talking about. No – going grey isn’t a hair nightmare, and yes – lots of A-listers have been spotted sporting gorgeous grey locks! The catwalks are teaming with grey-haired beauties, too.

Anyway, since I received this invite and confirmed my appointment, I pondered the idea of “going grey”. I was totally unsure about it up until the very moment that I sat down in my stylist’s chair. And, yup, you guessed it – I ended up going for silver strands in the end! So what made me do it? And do I love it? I’ll tell you all.

So, on Saturday morning, I arrived at Ginger at around 9:30am. The salon is conveniently situated on the busy and buzzing 11th Street in Parkmore. Upon entering the salon, I was greeted by the very lovely, bubbly Jenna – one of the owners. I was also delighted by the beautiful interior – simplistic, all white and just ever-so-chic!

Jenna quickly showed me to my warm and welcoming stylist, Kelly – the other owner of Ginger. Kelly sat me down and offered me freshly-baked red velvet cupcakes and a cappuccino before getting to talking about what I wanted done with my hair. Pretty nervous to say the least, I whipped out my iPhone and began showing Kelly a couple of reference pictures I’d saved of the grey hair trend (like the ones below). Immediately, she got excited, assuring me that she could totally do that for me. And, yes, her enthusiasm is what made me say, okay, let’s do it! I felt confident, and the process began straight away.

The grey hair trend – don’t you just love it?

I’m obsessed!

First off, my whole head of hair was bleached, which is never a pleasant process (I know all of you platinum blondes out there feel me on this one!), but beauty is pain, as we all know. Now, because bleach is so super-damaging to hair, Kelly made sure that it was mixed with Olaplex – the new hair treatment everyone’s talking about right now that reconnects broken disulphide sulphur bonds in the hair that happen during thermal, mechanical or chemical processes, like bleaching. This was my second experience with Olaplex, so I was really confident that my hair was “safe”. (It’s really a revolutionary treatment!)

After about half an hour, I was taken to the basins to have the bleach rinsed out of my hair. A lovely assistant made sure I was comfortable in one of the plush and comfy leather seats at the basin (yes, they have leather chairs at the basins – and they have foot rests, too!), and began rinsing my hair. She was very gentle, and did a great job at thoroughly rinsing my hair and at that point sensitive scalp. Kelly then came back over and applied the silver grey tint to my bleached blonde hair, which was also mixed with Olaplex to avoid damage. For ten minutes, I sat back and relaxed while my hair absorbed the grey tint.

The assistant then rinsed the tint out of my hair, and shampooed my locks twice. She then applied another anti-breakage treatment, followed by a deep conditioning treatment to soothe my hair and scalp, and then gave me the most amazing head massage ever. My goodness, it was so relaxing! I then moved back into Kelly’s hands for a blow dry and she asked me what I’d like done styling-wise. I decided on loose curls.

When Kelly was done drying and styling my hair, I fell in love instantly! I loved my ice-cool blonde mane with the gorgeous silver tint she’d put on! Before I left the salon, Kelly made sure that I was clued up on how to best maintain my grey hair before my next trip to the hairdresser. She also sent me home with a bottle of Olaplex No. 3 Hair Perfector, which is a take-home treatment to use once a week between salon visits to keep your hair in tip top shape. Ever since my hair makeover, I’ve only received compliments and had ladies stop me in shopping centres to ask where I had it done!

My new hair coloured and styled by Kelly

Overall, I must say that I had an exceptional experience at Ginger. The stylists were all very attentive, and I left with exactly what I asked to have done (and that’s a rare happening in a hair salon, as I’m sure you know). It’s a gorgeous, upmarket place that uses and stocks only the best brands of products, and their prices are super-reasonable, with a ladies cut starting at R315 and a full head of highlights going for R1000.

I say ditch the overpriced mainstream hair salons and try this intimate little place out. I’m confident that Jenna, Kelly and their team will take brilliant care of your hair and make you feel (and look) like a queen! Another plus? They have a nail technician in house too, so you can get your nails done at the same time as your hair. Also, get your boyfriend to tag along for a cut by Ashley, one of Ginger’s stylists who specialises in male haircuts (I saw him snipping away while I was there and his work was flawless!).

Want to book an appointment? You can do so online here.

DETAILS:

Address: 78 11^th Street, Parkmore, Sandton, Johannesburg

Phone number: 011 326 7456

Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/jennakellysginger

Website: http://www.g4ginger.co.za/index.html 

PS: Wondering what my go-to hair products are? Click here and find out!

Take your taste buds on a journey at Erawan Bryanston

Darlings, I had an excellent Thai dinner last night – and I’m excited to tell you all about it! Ever since I heard that Erawan was opening up in Bryanston, I’ve been very excited. Why? Well, because Erawan is one of my favourite Cape Town restaurants (they’re a franchise, with one restaurant in Cape Town and now two up in Joburg). They serve up the tastiest authentic Thai food and, if you know me, you probably know that I just love my Thai dishes!

Anyway, last night my boyfriend Nik and I decided to finally try it out for ourselves. We were very delighted when we arrived at the restaurant – it’s a lot more upmarket than the Cape Town one is. It’s all open plan, with in- and outdoor seating. The décor is simplistic but chic, and the ambience lovely and laidback.

Our waiter seated us right away and was very attentive from the minute we sat down. He immediately brought over a bucket of ice for our bottle of wine (you have to take your own alcohol at this stage as they don’t have a liquor license yet) and cracked open the bottle. He then made a couple of recommendations, and we decided on the Salmon California Rolls (eight pieces for R77), Salmon Roses (four pieces for R88) and Sa La Pao Gai (dumplings with spicy chicken marinated with coriander, ginger and garlic for R48) to start.

The food arrived quickly, and it was wonderfully fresh and tasty! The sushi dishes were both sublime – very fresh and beautifully presented! The dumplings, on the other hand, were flavourful and just divine. Next up, for mains, we both ordered the Ba Me Prik Phao (classic stir-fried yellow egg noodles, fresh vegetables and crunchy cashews in a chilli paste). Nik had his with pork (R103) and I had mine with prawns (R124).

Our mains also arrived promptly, and they really were to-die-for. I must say, though, that our dishes were identical to the Ba Me Prik dish that Thai Café serves up. That’s obviously because they’re part of the same group of restaurants. Thai Café is a lot less expensive, but at Erawan you’re paying for the upmarket setting whereas Thai Café is more of a takeaway joint. Anyway, we were very impressed! All of the ingredients were fresh and tasty. Yum!

Lastly, for dessert, we opted for the Chocolate Mousse (layered with pastry and topped with chocolate sauce and a sprinkling of chopped nuts for R54). It was creamy and ever-so-delicious (I’m a chocolate lover – you know this!).

Overall, I really enjoyed dining at Erawan Bryanston. I’ll certainly be back, but perhaps only for a special occasion because it is a bit pricy, and there are Thai restaurants in Joburg on the same scale that I like a bit more. Having said that, though, I certainly recommend this place! Well worth the visit.

DETAILS:

Address: Riverside Shopping Centre, 317 Bryanston Drive, Bryanston, Johannebsurg

Phone number: 011 706 8000

Website: http://www.erawan.co.za

Strive to be your best this week!

Good afternoon subscribers! And a very happy Monday to you all!

This Monday’s mantra is to strive to be the best you can be this week. Let me paint this picture for you quick: Millions of people get up every morning and go to work. But they don’t bring the best parts of themselves to their job. Why? Well, often it’s because they simply don’t know how. They may be stuck in a rut, never quite able to feel they’re doing truly excellent work.

If you like what you do and you want to take it to the next level, concentrate on these simple, effective ways you can excel at work every single day of the week from this week onward!

• Make people feel special: Encourage and empower people at every chance.
• Find work you love and put your heart and soul into it: Choose a job you love and you will never have to work another day in your life.
• Focus on the task at hand: Do the best you can where you are with what you have.
• Treat every task as important: Every job is a self-portrait of the person who does it.
• Always do the right thing, even when it’s hard: Don’t let what you cannot do interfere with what you can.
• Delegate whenever you can: You get the best out of people when you believe in their talent.
• Take initiative: Even if you’re already very good at your job, do whatever you can to push your limits.
• Be part of the solution: Don’t be known as someone who is always complaining about something.
• Tell the truth: Let people know they can count on you to be honest even when it creates difficulties.
• Help as many people as you can along the way: Become someone people seek out for assistance.
• Avoid gossip always: It should go without saying, but turn a deaf ear to gossip and rumours.
• Maintain a positive attitude: A positive attitude is always contagious.
• Double your income by tripling your knowledge: Don’t let your knowledge and skills become outdated.
• Mind your emotions: When you’re angry, count to 10; before you speak, count to 100.
• Make small daily improvements for stunning results: Most of the time, success consists of a series of little daily efforts.
• Sharpen your skills and focus on mastering your talents: Avoid boredom, and learn a new skill to keep you on top of your game.
• Be masterful at what you do despite the obstacles: No person fails who does their best.
• Don’t feed your fears: Have faith that you will make it through.
• Always be prepared: Success occurs when opportunity meets preparation
• Ask for help when you need it: There’s no such thing as a self-made person; you will reach your goals only with the help of others.
• Set goals and get results: It’s important to know where you are going, how you will get there, and what the outcome will be.
• Be all that you can be: Don’t settle for less than your highest potential.
• Don’t worry about getting credit for getting things done: You can accomplish almost anything if you don’t worry about who gets the credit.
• Preserve your integrity: Make daily choices that are consistent with your values.
• Be a good role model: Live by your values and walk your talk.

I live by these tips. Following them helps me achieve my weekly goals and remain on top of things. Do you have any tips that you abide by to get yourself through each week? Share them with me in the comments down below!

I hope you all have an amazing week!

Love,

Cands