Monthly Archives: April 2012

The lovely Elsje Oosthuizen of our Events Team created this beautiful mini moodboard, which was inspired by an amazing wedding she coordinated at Varswaterbaai in the West Coast. We love the gentle shades of turquoise - this is beach romance at its most beautiful.

Be sure to look out for the photos taken by Joe Dreyer of this magical wedding, we can't wait to show you!

We love the new Carrol Boyes stylish leather range, which includes a variety of elegant leather accessories. The softest grey and black bovine leather has been sourced for the creation of these exquisite handbags, wallets, purses, business card holders and organizers.

Handcrafted and embossed with elegant detail, these accessories will add an unmistakable iconic luxury to any wardrobe.

The unique embossed patterns that set these leather items apart echo many favourite pewter and aluminum pieces in Wound Up, Quicksilver and Pebble designs.

Click here to view the brochure, or visit one of the selected Carrol Boyes stores throughout South Africa to see the items for yourself.

Wynand and Rentia celebrated their wedding at Val de Vie over the Easter weekend. This breakfast wedding had a delightful touch of turquoise and chocolate brown in its decor theme, complete with white and aqua coloured balloons that were released into the air.

To view more photos, visit Michelle Photography.

Check out this amazing video by FJS Productions of Ryk Neethling's birthday. It elegantly captures the glamour of this VIP celebrations, which was held at Ryk's home on the estate.

We adore Danielle Myburgh's range of stylish ballet pumps. Her beautiful shoes come in a variety of styles and materials, including leather, satin, cotton, silk or even materials supplied by her clients. Design your own gorgeous shoe by adding bows or ribbons, tailoring it to your individual style.

The range includes shoes for babies, children and adults. We think these pumps would be gorgeous for any bride, bridesmaid or flower girl, and they would also be perfect as relaxed honeymoon footwear. Kindly contact Danielle to find out more about her lovely designs at 082 373 5045 or danmyburgh@gmail.com.

Prices:
Fabric: R370
Leather: R400
Kids: R300
Wedding: R350

Art & Life, a first event of its kind Charity Event, took place this past Sunday at Val de Vie Estate. The guest list boasted over 300 VIPs, socialites, art lovers and their families who generously showed their support for this blossoming initiative.

Five charities were presented with cheques amounting to R220, 000 by the Art & Life Charity Initiative. The beneficiaries included The Cyrus Trust Prochorus Crèche Support Programme; the ‘I Was Shot’ Photography initiative; Ryk Neethling’s Pathways Foundation; the Yabonga HIV Aids Charity Organisation and the Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital.

Some of the day’s acts included a fashion show by Jenni Button and Hilton Weiner, spectacular acoustic sets by Louise Day and Just Jinger’s Ard Matthews, a comedy stand up performance by Mark Palmer, and a moving Xhosa musical item by Lusanda Gwayi and Basha Magwape.

Jenni Button Models

Ard Matthews of Just Jinger

Chrys Mammous – Fine Artist

Louise Day – Singer

Polo Match

Johan du Plooy, Luke Meiring, Anthony Baines, Justin Snaith

Valeria Carmichael, Robynne King, Polisa Magqibelo of ABSA

Carol and Lambert Retief

Victoria and Tom Goddard

Stefan and Carla Antoni

Nico Panagio and Vesko Mrdjen

Artworks by Chrys Mammous

Reg Macdonald, Ard Matthews, Tracy McGregor, Marc Buhrer

Clare and Christo Wiese

Polisa Magqibelo, Sibongile Mkhabela and Chrys Mammous

Chrys Mammous

Hilton Weiner Models

Natalie Becker and Alfonso Botha

Kasper Kristofferson, Tanya van Graan

Carla and Stefan Antoni

Anina Malherbe and Tracy-Leigh Paulucci de Calboli

We love the gorgeous wedding video of Xan and Rob that was filmed by Vision on Fire. This fantastic couple held their wedding reception at Val de Vie and the video beautifully captures the day.

Chrys Mammous at the Art & Life Charity Event

City Press has a fantastic write-up on the Art & Life annual charity event that took place at Val de Vie this past weekend. The event was held to raise funds and awareness for a variety of charities, including The Cyrus Trust Prochorus Crèche Support Programme; the ‘I Was Shot’ Photography initiative; Ryk Neethling’s Pathways Foundation; the Yabonga HIV/Aids Charity Organisation and the Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital. We're thrilled that R220 000 was presented to these worthy causes by the Art & Life Charity Initiative.

A host of VIPs, celebrities and art lovers attended the occasion, where they were treated to fine food and live entertainment from Louise Day, Ard Matthews, Mark Palmer, Lusanda Gwayi and Basha Magwape.

Click here to read the full article.

Image courtesy of City Press

South African swimming icon Ryk Neethling spent time in the pool at Val de Vie on Saturday, coaching children suffering from the bleeding disorder haemophilia, to raise awareness on World Haemophilia Day.

“It was the first time in a pool for some of these boys, and it was amazing to see how quickly they gained confidence,” said Neethling. “At first they’d hang on to me for dear life, but as they saw that they were safe and that they could float, and swim, such big smiles would spread over their faces! It was really moving.”

The event was coordinated by the SA Haemophilia Foundation and the pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk, who approached Neethling to get involved. “Swimming is one of the best activities for people with haemophilia,” explains Bradley Rayner, chairperson of the SA Haemophilia Foundation and someone who lives with the disorder himself. “The weightlessness in water means there is no risk of injury. And if you’re going to show youngsters what swimming is all about, who better that the guy who won the gold? ”

Rayner says it was heart-warming to watch Neethling in the pool with the kids. “These children come from difficult circumstances, so it makes it all worthwhile when you see them honestly enjoy themselves for a change. Having someone coach them so gently and with such empathy made all the difference.”

Haemophilia affects the clotting ability of blood, which can cause severe bleeding at the slightest injury. It is generally found in boys, though one in 1 000 peoplehave some form of bleeding condition, and it can impair quality of living immensely when socioeconomic reasons prevent proper medical care.

“Thank you Ryk Neethling for allowing us to spend the day with you,” wrote one mom in a thank-you note after the event. “It gave me great joy today to see my son so happy, it was like a piece of heaven even if just for a little while.”

And that is why he turned down that multimillion rand offer to go and swim in Qatar, Neethling explains. “I want to be here, where you can make a difference simply by giving of your time, and love. You don’t have to be wealthy to make a difference in South Africa.”

The ART&LIFE 2012 Charity Event is the first of an annual series of events focusing on the arts. Incorporating Fine Art, Performance Art, Musical Performances and Fashion, this unique day event, jam packed with entertainment; will take place on Sunday afternoon, the 15th of April, at Val de Vie Estate situated in the Paarl-Franschhoek Valley (40 minutes from Cape Town). This exciting new Philanthropic Arts Initiative offers a fun day out for everyone, all in the name of charity and giving back. Some of the highlights include performances by musician Ard Matthews, comedian Mark Palmer, and work by artists Chrys Mammous (fine art), Gordon Clark (photography) and a game of riveting Polo amongst other things.

Absa, the headline sponsor for the event, believes in supporting the arts to contribute to the creative and intellectual prosperity of South Africa as a whole – ultimately benefiting all South Africans. As the only financial services institution in the world that has actively embraced art as part of its corporate image, they have shown that they are not only the biggest corporate patron of the visual arts in South Africa, but also the custodian of the largest South African corporate art collection.

The ART&LIFE initiative has the dual purposes of supporting and developing arts and culture in a dynamic way to contribute to the creative and intellectual prosperity of South Africa while raising funds for selected charities. It also provides a supportive, development and marketing platform for upcoming as well as established local artists, designers, performers and musicians.

The day’s programme will consist of various performances and visual displays of the participating artists, photographers, musicians and performance artists. There will amongst other things be an Art Exhibition, a Polo Tournament, a Music Performance and Fashion Show. The main acts this year will be internationally recognised South African music artist Ard Matthews of Just Jinger, Comedian Mark Palmer as well as the talented Poet, Basha Magwape, followed by a few smaller acts. The event will be targeted at families (including children), professionals, VIPs and everyone with an interest in arts and culture.

Some of the charities that will benefit from the ART&LIFE initiative are The Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital; the Bobs for Good Foundation; the I Was Shot In Joburg & Cape Town Photography Project; Pathways - a Ryk Neethling Foundation, the Cyrus Trust and the Prochorus Crèche Support Programme.

In the run-up of the event, ART&LIFE will also be running a Student Art Competition. The works of the five winners of the art competition, all from the Michaelis School of Fine Art at UCT, will be judged by a panel of art curators from the Everard Read Gallery in Cape Town, headed by David Tripp. The winning art works will be on exhibition at the event and five cash prizes of R5000 each will be awarded to the winners.

Tickets are available from Webtickets at R150 per person. For more info on the event, visit www.artandlife.co.za

The recent school holidays have inspired us to have some fun! Looking for ways to keep the little ones entertained? Decorate cupcakes in bold primary colours, adorn cushions with colourful lettering or get creative with playdough.

Vintage inspired decor has been big news for quite some time, and this year it's still a very popular look for weddings and parties alike. We like this gentle interpretation of the theme that includes soft, pale blues with the occasional hint of pink and passionate magenta. Fun and feminine, it's a beautiful combination of colours.

Harper's BAZAAR have made it easy to decide on the right perfume for each occasion. Their favourite fragrance for the evening is the rose-and-jasmin-infused Chanel No. 5 Eau Première. As they put it, "it is still elegant, but it's lighter and fresher than the first, more of an everyday spritz." We can't wait to try it at our next evening event!

Watch out for more posts this month to find about about other fabulous perfumes.

Source: Harpersbazaar.com

Inecke Photography captured the recent Val de Vie 5 Nations Invitational Polo Classic on camera, and we are delighted with the results. Her images beautifully depict the elegance of the day, and they really show off the beauty of our estate.

To view more photos, visit Inecke's website.

As we head into mid-Autumn, it's clear that the seasons are changing and it's time to update our wardrobes for cooler weather. We love these colours from Chanel. These dark shades are reminiscent of the changing Autumn leaves and we love their subtle sophistication.

Image source: Thedailytruffle.com

Fashionising.com has compiled a fabulous overview of the top hair trends for 2012, a must-see for all brides-to-be. As they put it, 2012 "marks the true start of a new decade, and yet 2012's fashion trends are all about revival... there is a unique undertone of a modernist style appearing, but take some of the most iconic styles of the 20th century, infuse them with quality, and you'll find the basis for the dominant styles of 2012. The year's hair trends are no different. For fashionisers in 2012, hair is all about revivals and evolution."

Visit the website for their full report.

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Be sure to visit Brides.com for their sneak previews of the Spring 2012 bridal trends. The site showcases the latest work of designers such as Alfred Angelo, Watters and Nicole Miller, offering all sorts of dazzling inspiration for brides-to-be. Check out their blog for plenty of gorgeous ideas straight from the runway.

We just love this scrumptious Lemon and Poppy Seed cake that's featured on The Pretty Blog. Created by llse of the Food Fox, it's a delightful treat for the Easter weeked, they've definitely inspired us to get baking! be sure to visit their blog to view the full post and get the recipe.

The WineTimes attended the recent 5 Nations Invitational Polo and as their blog write-up shows, they had a fantastic time! From the exciting polo action and fast cars to mingling with guests at the Pavilion and enjoying the live entertainment, a fabulous time was had by all.

To read their full overview of the day, please click here.

The South African Polo team were the proud winners of the recent Val de Vie 5 Nations Invitational Polo Classic 2012. We are thrilled to have Carrol Boyes on board as a sponsor and look forward to next year's tournament!

The Awaken Women's Conferences are enlightening events for woman that include weekends of worship, inspiration and reflection. The Awaken Team invites all women to join them at their event at Val de Vie Estate on 11-12 May 2012. The weekend costs R300 per person (early bird until 15 April, after that the cost us R350). You can either register online or at your nearest Shofar office.

For more information, e-mail the team at awaken@shofaronline.org or call +27 (0)21 887 1414. You can also visit their Facebook page.

Leanne and Dan held their wedding at Val de Vie, a gorgeous celebration which was expertly coordinated by Simone and Johnny of the Aleit Group. With a sophisticated black and white theme, it included a Burlesque-style after party and a sexy opening-dance tango. We love these stunning photos taken by Ryan Graham.

KDay 2012 was a fun-filled day of music and sunshine. With some of South Africa's top musicians, DJs and bands performing live at Val de Vie, thousands of fans enjoyed the festivities. Here are some videos that give you a glimpse of some of the incredible live acts we were treated to.

The Arrows

Danny K

DJ Kent

Elvis Blue

Goodluck

Locnville

Loyiso

The Parlotones

Prime Circle

Val de Vie hosted KDay this past weekend and what a fantastic day it was! Thousands of fans, families and friends flocked to the estate to watch some of their favourite South African acts, including Prime Circle, The Arrows, Danny K, Locnville, GoodLuck, Flash Republic and Elvis Blue. With sunny skies and spectacular scenery setting the scene, it was the perfect day out in the countryside.

This video captures the fun that was had by all, we can't wait to see you again next year!

Be PREMIÈRE offers the most luxurious hair styling for your big day. With their expert knowledge and experience, you're sure to look absolutley gorgeous!

Their process is simple, starting out with their team of highly trained professionals helping you to decide on the right look, taking your dress design into account. They then create pre-wedding trials, followed by preparations and treatments that ensure that your hair will look sensational on the big day.

Apart from offering an ‘in-salon’ exclusive services on the day, they also have the Be PREMIÈRE ‘RETINUE’ service, which provides personal attendants at your home or hotel throughout the day, evening and whole weekend, if you desire. It can include not only the Bride, but also her formal attendants, family and services for the Groom too.

Click here to read more about their fabulous styling services. Alternatively, contact the team to chat about what they can do for you, or to arrange a personal consultation.
021 882 9416 / www.bepremiere.com

Today cakes are not just a sweet treat that take centre stage at a wedding - they are also a big part of a the day's overall look and feel. Cake decorators are taking inspiration from a host of textures and patterns, from lace and damask to bold floral prints. There's never been a more delicious way to make a style statement!

This look is for all the romantics out there. Dusty pinks and soft, feminine colours create a beautifully romantic and nostalgic ambience. ring it all together with roses, lace, crystal and silk... what's not to love?

We love subtle and understated decor, but sometimes it's fun to go all out. This unashamedly opulent look is just gorgeous, with volumes of luxurious fabric, generous scatterings of rose petals and chandeliers that are dripping with shiny crystals. Stunning!

We found this photo on Pinterest and it immediately caught our attention. The earthy grey and natural green backdrop with the hints of crystal and silver sets a platform for a very elegant outdoor lunch party. We absolutely love it!