Dirty Dancing: The Time of your Life

If you're not having 'The Time of your Life' this year, you clearly haven't seen Dirty Dancing - The Classic Story On Stage. This Timeless Tale is currently showing at the Montecasino Teatro and last week I finally went to see it ...

The view of the stage before the show ♥

[via]

This is one Production I couldn't wait to come to South Africa! My sister and I watched it in the Aldwych Theatre in London in 2009 and, I remember we left the theatre singing hit songs like 'Hungry Eyes', 'Hey Baby', 'Do You Love Me?' and 'Time Of My Life' while dancing to the Underground.

My programme from the Dirty Dancing in SA (left) and the UK (right)

Now the London Production was great, but there was just something Absolutely Magical about Dirty Dancing at the Teatro. Firstly, South African born Bryony Whitfield was the perfect "Baby" and it felt like she was taken straight from my Dirty Dancing DVD and placed on stage. Secondly, the Audience was extremely responsive and warm towards the artists and clapped, cheered and laughed with enthusiasm.

Bryony Whitfield as Baby
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If you're one of the few people who aren't sure what Dirty Dancing is about, below is a short synopsis about the unprecedented classic love story:

Frances “Baby” Houseman and Johnny Castle, two fiercely independent young spirits from different worlds, come together, at a resort called Kellerman’s in 1963, in what will be the most challenging and triumphant summer of their lives. 

Gareth Bailey (Johnny), Bryony Whitfield (Baby) and Mila De Biaggi (Penny)
[via]

Produced by Pieter Toerien and Hazel Feldman, Dirty Dancing - The Classic Story On Stage will appeal to both young and old alike and is packed with breathtaking dancing by South Africa’s best performers with million-dollar-costumes and stunning visuals. 

Featuring everybody's favourite scenes from the Movie and including the famous lines like  “Nobody puts Baby in a corner” and  “I carried a watermelon” this show will leave you in a cheerful spirit.   

The “I carried a watermelon” Scene
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This is definitely the Hottest Ticket in Town at the moment and if you haven't booked, I strongly suggest you do so at Computicket. Alternatively, be Extra Good and ask Santa to give you some for Christmas! ;)

Nadia Beukes as Lisa does her "Hula Hanna" Dance
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Details for Performances:

Johannesburg: The Teatro at Montecasino from 26 October 2012 to 13 January 2013 Capetown: Artscape  from 18 January 2013 to 10 March 2013

Times:

• Tue – Fri @ 8pm, 
• Sat @ 3pm & 8pm, 
• Sun @ 2pm & 6pm

Tickets from R100 to R400 (prices vary depending on day of week and performance time, so please check with Computicket)

Tickets can be purchased at the Theatre box offices or online

Thava: The Taste of India

Last night, I was invited to experience a Fresh New Taste of India. 

Thava opened their second Indian Restaurant in Midrand. They specialise in South Indian cuisine and prides themselves on their use of the freshest local ingredients and aromatic dishes ...

Chef Philippe Frydman (left) and Mathew Abrahams (right)

The Multi-Award Winning Thava Indian Restaurants are owned by Mathew Abraham, and are under the consultancy of Chef Philippe Frydman, Chairman of the Academy of Chefs. 

Thava specialises in South Indian Cuisine, particularly from the Kerala region, which is a blend of Different Cultures and Religions — Hindu, Christian and Muslim — which reflect in the myriad flavours that make the food from this part of the world so appealing and delicious!

The making of Butter Naan Bread ... DELICIOUS!

The inviting atmosphere and unique Indian Tapas (this is a first for South Africa) sets this Indian Restaurant aside from others. Tapas Dishes are perfect for sharing and for special taste experiences and can be served in portions as a starter, or as a shared main meal — guests can select from a combination of any items straight off the set Menu or from the daily Special Menu.

The Menu includes a delectable selection of Vegetarian, Lamb, Chicken and Seafood Dishes to choose from, off a Menu that includes Curries, Briyanis, Stews and Spicy Tandoori and Masala dishes, all served with traditional breads, rice dishes, and side dishes of freshly prepared chutneys, pickles or vegetables.

The Array of Starters on the Menu — each one more scrumptious than the previous  

Thava Midrand promises to be as popular as its sister in Norwood, attracting those who know and love their Indian Cuisine, as well as new-comers to the Kerala taste experience. Add to that the warm ambiance and friendly service and you will quickly understand why Thava Indian Restaurant is the choice restaurant for Indian Cuisine ... It is definitely mine!

Address:

Thava Midrand Now Open!
Carlswald Decor Center
5th Road (Off New Road Off Ramp)
Carlswald 

or

Corner of The Avenue & Plantation Road
Norwood (Oaklands)
(Situated above Alexanders Deli)

Telephone:

011 318 1367

If you are Q-rious to find out more about Thava click here.

Welcome to SA TOPSHOP & TOPMAN!

"Wow! Amazing!" — These were pretty much the words on everybody's lips this afternoon at the first TOPSHOP & TOPMAN Store Launch in Sandton today! 

The store officially opens to the Public at 10am tomorrow (22 November 2012), but the Media had a Sneak Peak (or should I rather say 'Splurge') at the store today! 

So here it is: TOPSHOP & TOPMAN! ...


Originally Owned by The Arcadia Group, TOPSHOP & TOPMAN is brought to South Africa by Edcon and Busby. 

The Rococo Trend at TOPSHOP

The Store stocks ALL CURRENT FASHION; so the items you see on the rails in the South African TOPSHOP is exactly the same as what the folks in London see! The Arcadia Group promises weekly deliveries to the Sandton Store to ensure the product being offered is current.

Beautiful Shoes = Happy Heart! ♥

At TOPSHOP, Trends Don't Die; they gradually morph into the next trend, and this happens in a period of 6-weeks, after which a new trend will be introduced. 

Jewellery!!!

Rails in the store are set out in "Story Formats" and all items on a rail can be mixed-and-matched with other items from the same (and neighbouring) rails to create various outfits, making a shopper's life much easier and less time-consuming.

And Gents — while your Girlfriends shop up a Storm at TOPSHOP (and they will, mark my words), you can browse the Charming and Daring Collection in TOPMAN (and I think you will end up spending loads more than your girlfriend).

Some Fabulous People at the Launch Party:

Tamara Dey (Left) and Thulane Hadebe and Roxy Burger (Right)

Palesa Mahlaba (Left) and a Trendy Shopper (Right)

Desmond and The Tutu's Perform at the Launch Party 

The Lovely Jen Su (Left) and the Stylish Bonang Matheba (Right)

Gordon Richardson, Creative Director at TOPMAN (centre)

Jo-Ann Strauss in a Gorgeous TOPSHOP Dress (Left) and Poppy Ntshongwana wearing Bold Neons (Right)

And, I couldn't Leave the store empty handed (that would have been a sin in my books) so I bought a few items :)

My Outfit for the Launch Party: 

Hat and Top from TOPSHOP

Shorts from Country Road

Necklace from Mr Price

Me (Left) with fellow blogger Sarah Blanckenburg (Right)

Now, I no-longer need to travel thousands of miles to get my Fix of the Awesomeness that is TOPSHOP ... Which means more shopping money to spend on Beautiful outfits as I won't need to pay for Airfares ;)

Rococo Glam

'Excess Embellishments takes Centre Stage in a decadently opulent mix of sequins, feathers and crystals' featuring Valeria Efanova and Charlotte Cardin-Goyer in the December 2012 issue of Elle Canada titled ‘Rococo Glam'...

Leda & St Jacques are behind the lens styled by Azamit. While Hair and Make-up are done by Paco Puertas and Nicolas Blanchet respectively.

All Photos compliments of Elle Canada

Stylemology — Unconventional Fashion

Earlier this month a really awesome site launched in South Africa called Styelmology (launching in Australia later this year too). 

It is a place where Fashion and Technology converge to provide a state-of-the-art online experience ...

Besides the fact that they have an unconventionally intriguing website, the clothes (and brands) that they offer on their website are equally compelling and Fashion-Forward —  something that has long been needed to electrify the South African Fashion Retail Industry. And the best part, besides the fact that you can shop from the comfort of your Computer Screen, is that they have Free Delivery (which is great considering the price of petrol these days)!

Some of the Brands featured on Stylemology:

Sergeant Pepper is also available at Stuttafords
[Shop Sergeant Pepper]

[Shop Apologies Aside] 

[Shop Motel]

[Shop Supertrash]

A Few of my Favourite Finds on Stylemology:

Aztec Printed Tank R299.95 [Shop]
Neon Overdyed Skinny Jeans R499.95 [Shop]

Colourblocked Pleated Dress
R499.95 [Shop]

Denisette Birdy Dress (Love the Print!) 

R449.95 [shop]

Studded Courts Possibly my FAVOURITE Item on the Site at the moment!
R599.95 [Shop]

Be at the Forefront of all Fashion Trends with Stylemology, I'm certain you will find something 'unconventional' to liven up your wardrobe!

All pictures via Stylemology.com

Fashion's Biggest Names Get Animated

Mario Sorrenti and Minnie Mouse

A while ago I told you about the upcoming collaboration between Barneys New York and Disney for their Christmas 2012 Campaign titled 'Electric Holiday'. It will be unveiled tomorrow, 14 November and it will feature Lady Gaga and Sarah Jessica Parker as cartoon characters for a new Disney fashion short! ...

Lady Gaga

Sarah Jessica Parker

The 'Born This Way' singer and the 'Sex and the City' actress star alongside Minnie Mouse in 'Electric Holiday', which follows Minnie on her way to Paris Fashion Week.

Nicolas Ghesquière styles Mickey Mouse

Also appearing in cartoon form for the animation are Lanvin creative director Alber Elbaz, and former French Vogue editor Carine Roitfeld, among many other familiar faces:

Alber Elbaz

Carine Roitfeld & Naomi Campbell

Juergen Teller

Linda Evangelista and Captain Hook

Julien d'Ys and Cruella de Vil

Cathy Horyn, Daphne Guinness, Carine Roitfeld, and Naomi Campbell

Emmanuelle Alt, Franca Sozzani, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Glenda Bailey

Bridget Foley

The cartoon film will be broadcast in Barney's New York department store and includes some of the most popular Disney characters strutting their stuff on the catwalk after a fashion makeover.

Bryan Boy, Suzy Menkes & Lady Gaga

Anna Dello Russo

Well, this is a Disney Movie I definitely can't miss! If you're as excited as I am, here's a Quick Sneak Peak at the Video to be launched tomorrow:

via contactmusic.com