Monthly Archives: May 2012

Daniela and Derek recently celebrated their wedding at Val de Vie, and we can't take our eyes off the stunning photos taken by Gavin Casey. With a red and white decor scheme, it was a truly stylish occasion that we are happy to have been a part of. View more photos on Gavin Casey's website.

We are thrilled to announce a wonderful new offering from Val de Vie! Couples who book our wedding venue will now receive an AnnaH voucher from Val de Vie Events. This voucher includes an hour long consultation with Anneke, a talented wedding stylist and consultant. With her brilliant understanding of how to conceptualise an event, Anneke helps brides to incorporate their own style into their wedding's look and feel. She will also create a beautiful moodboard that captures the unique style of your wedding.

Visit her website to find out more about her work.

Elle Cananda has released a fabulous trend report showcasing the top looks for Fall/Winter 2012. Here are some of the looks that we loved the most, visit their website to find more fashion inspiration.

Lady

How will I recognize the “lady” trend?
It’s a sophisticated, bourgeois style reminiscent of ’50s Hollywood, especially the heroines in Hitchcock films: perfectly chic, with a top-to-toe polish that is, dare we say, done!

What are the trend’s key pieces?
Razor-thin pencil skirts, bow-tied blouses, past-the-knee day dresses, skirtsuits, tailored shifts and three-quarter-sleeve coats.

Who can wear it?
Professional gals who want a feminine, sleek style.

How do I accessorize?
Hats, gloves (the new essential), fur wraps, pearl necklaces, structured frame bags and tights (ultra-sheer or crochet).

How can I make this look work for me?
Downplay extravagant accessories, keep hair simple and go for naturallooking makeup to avoid looking like a Mad Men cast member.

Who did it best?
Gucci, Bottega Veneta, Lanvin, Donna Karan and Jean Paul Gaultier.

Florals

Isn’t this normally a spring trend?
This is completely new! Florals used to be reserved for spring, but now it’s a festive garden party year-round.

What types of flowers inspired designers?
Style pollination had dandelions and sprigs of lily of the valley at Miu Miu, blossoming white roses at Lanvin and multicoloured wildflowers at Jil Sander, all set against a dark base creating a flourishing, graphic effect.

When can I wear it?
Rethink dressing: Adopt florals as an easy dose of daytime chic in early fall or save it for winter’s holiday celebrations.

How do I wear it?
The print is the focal point, so tread lightly with jewellery and finish with simple pumps or wedge booties.

Who did it best?
Lanvin, Paul Smith, Moschino, Giambattista Valli, Jil Sander, Sportmax and Miu Miu.

Green

What was the hottest colour on the fall runways?
Green is, without a doubt, the season’s It shade.

Which shade of green?
Cult faves from the ’70s: olive, khaki, forest, pine and bottle. Plus, gemstone shades of turquoise and emerald, as seen at Gucci.

What piece should I invest in?
Everything from coats and suits to blouses and dresses. Style tip: Go from sage to sauvage with coloured fur accents.

What about prints?
Think Emilio Pucci’s fanciful baroque patterns or Dries Van Noten’s artful abstractions.

Can I wear it from head to toe? Why not?
Or mix it up with neutrals like grey and black. Feel daring? Go for gold, violet or taupe combinations.

What about accessories?
Bags, belts, shoes and boots in a deep, dark shade of green are top!

Who did it best?
Chanel, Emilio Pucci, Gucci, Dolce & Gabbana, Prada, Fendi, Louis Vuitton and Marni.

Text by Anthony Mitropoulos.

Winter is well on its way, and what better to brighten things up with a splash of pink? Feel inspired for the new season by adding touches of soft pink. It's a pretty, feminine look that will cheer up any rainy day!

Pink is the most feminine of colours, exuding a real sense of romance. We love to use softer shades of rose, a subtle way to include pink in a decor scheme and add a somewhat vintage feel. Creams, greys and soft neutral tones help to break up these pink hues so that they don't become too overwhelming.

The centrepiece of most weddings is a beautiful, lovingly-made cake that reflects the style of the event itself. Today brides have a dazzling array of cakes to choose from. Classic tiered cakes remain a popular option, either embellished with sugar flowers or a pattern inspired by the decor scheme. For those who prefer a less structured look, we love a simple frosted cake adorned with fresh flowers. Feeling adventurous? Try a stacked crepe cake or even a pie. There are so many delicious ideas just waiting to be discovered (and eaten!).

Classic black and white is always a winning combination for an elegant decor scheme. It's fresh and clean style that's so versatile; it can either look modern and dramatic or classic and sophisticated. If you're hesitant to go all out with this look, introduce a third accent colour, but try to keep the overall black and white style for maximum visual impact. Imagine black vases or dark wood set off by crisp white walls, or pure white linen accented by black throws and scatter cushions. Gorgeous!

Val de Vie recently hosted the The Awaken Women's Conference, an enlightening event for woman that included two days of worship, inspiration and reflection. Well done to the Awaken Team & Crew for creating such a special weekend.

Here are some things that participants had to say about the event:

"It was a great weekend. Thank you Lord and the Awaken team!" - Toni Mould
"What a privilege to have experienced this!" - Ilze Boonzaaier
"One of the best weekends of my life! Thank you Jesus!"- Esté Nell

These moodboards capture the spirit of the event (photography by Lizelle Lotter, June Joubert and Anke Dunaiski.

You're invited to join us at the The Home Channel's Decor and Design Morning at Val de Vie. Speakers include Juliet Newell (The Home Channel), Elzabe Zietsman (singer, actress & chef), Henk Scholtz (artist, decorator & landscaper) and Neil Stemmet (interior designer, curator & collector).

Details:
Date: Saturday, 2nd June
Time: 10:00 for 10:30 - 3:00pm
Price: R350 pp incl. light lunch (please note that seats are limited.)

CLICK HERE TO RSVP

For enquiries contact Edith Unlimited: 011 783 5887 / tammy@edithunlimited.co.za

We are very excited to host the Spread the Fragrance Women's Conference this weekend. Tickets are all sold out for this fabulous event! Be sure to watch this space for photos...

GOOD NEWS LADIES, due to popular demand 10 and 12 July is now exclusively available for ladies aged 30+... Book now to avoid disappointment!

Marilize de Clercq, together with Nicky Lonte is hosting a Styling and Make-up Workshop for girls between the ages of 16 and 19 at the prestigious Val de Vie Polo Estate during June and July 2012. All guests will receive a mini make-up brush set including notes from Nicky Lonte as well as notes from the acclaimed stylist, Marilize de Clercq who has made special appearances on an array of magazine shows such as Top Billing and All Access. The full day workshop will be divided into two parts; within the first section of the day you'll receive professional make-up lessons presented by Nicky Lonte; Marilize de Clercq will conclude the second half with a Personal Styling presentation filled with latest tips and how to make trends work for you.

Each guest will also be treated to welcome drinks, delicious snacks - throughout the day - as well as a delectable lunch; which will be served just before the second half of the day.

There are only 20 seats available per workshop; bookings need to be confirmed and payment has to be made one week prior to the date you wish to attend. (Find below)

Six (6) workshops (in total) will be hosted; the dates are as follows:
- 26 and 28 June 2012
- 3 and 5 July 2012
- 10 and 12 July 2012 (for ladies 30+)

NIKI Professional Make-up as well as handbags and accessories will be made available for purchase on the day.

For more information or to book your seat email: styling@marilizedeclercq.co.za and nicky_lonte@vodamail.co.za.

Elsje from the Events Team has created another beautiful moodboard that's inspired by coastal living. Softs aqua tones and pale grey create this peaceful palette, livened up by black anf white stripes and burts of turquoise. It's a gorgeous look for a beach wedding

Val de Vie Estate hosted the wedding of Christine Markgraaff and Bobby Behan on 9 March 2012. 250 guests attended the celebration, and what an occasion it was! The big day included a variety of unforgettable elements, including a thrilling 45-minute polo game, crystal chandeliers, a sumptuous menu by The Polo Club Restaurant amd a decadent dessert station filled which was laden with mini milk tarts, malva pudding, macaroons, nougat, fudge, chocolate brownies, vanilla bean ice cream scoops and the wedding cake made by Kanya Hunt.

The celebration continued into the early hours of the morning and there’s no doubt that it will be fondly remembered by the guests for years to come.

We love glamourous decor and bold styling, but sometimes a subtle touch can look so much more elegant. Elsje Oostuizen, a Coordinator who's part of the Val de Vie Events Team, created this beautiful moodboard which creates an understated sense of opulence. Soft, faded colours are combined with feathers and dashes of silvery sparkle. It's these small details that create a real sense of glamour, without being too over the top.

The 2011–2012 Polo Season has been a frantically busy and successful one, including six 0 and 2 Goal Tournaments and chukkas being played four times a week! These Low Goal Tournaments were very well supported by visiting teams and we were thrilled to host Olifantskoop from the West Coast, Maremmana from Hermanus and Cape Town Polo Club from Melkbos.

We held 3 Exhibition matches during the course of the season, namely the Bentley at the beginning of December, The Veuve Clicquot at the end of February and finally, the innovative and exciting Five Nations Invitational Tournament held at the end of March. The Five Nations was the brain child of Martin Venter who considered the tournament’s viability during the middle of last year with an idea of inviting representatives from Pakistan, England, Zimbabwe, South Africa and the Netherlands to compete in an Invitational tournament at Val de Vie. His vision was realized and seven days of exciting polo were played, drawing large and enthusiastic crowds. Val de Vie was delighted to host a visiting side from Pakistan, including the Pakistani Ambassador. The Netherlands were supported by the Dutch Ambassador and his wife on the final Saturday and Fatima Chohan, Deputy Minister of Home Affairs, gave a short but inspiring speech about sport and her first introduction to polo at the Tournament. SA were the deserved winners, the winning team comprising of Tom de Bruin (Captain), Kevin Rixon, Martin Venter and Joseph Bron with “Britain” coming a close second.

Educational Chukkas have become a popular and very social part of learning the game of Polo and follow on after polo lessons given by Kevin on either Tuesdays or Thursdays during the season. Anybody who is interested in learning more about the game and how to play it must contact Tehri at the Polo Office for booking lessons with Kevin and joining in the Educational Chukkas – everybody’s welcome!

The Polo Season is sadly drawing to a close as Winter beckons. The last planned match was on 5 May, but it will give the horses a well-deserved rest! The number of new people playing polo and the number of tournaments being played is growing faster in Cape Town than anywhere else in the country and next season’s Fixture List is already in progress… we can’t wait!

PS: To all residents – Diana and I have bought at Val de Vie and are looking forward to meeting as many potential players and spectators as possible!

Vision on Fire never fails to create the most stunning wedding videos, and we love this amazing video of Taryn and Verge's wedding at Val de Vie. It's beautifully romantic and captures the magic of their big day.

This season Ralph Lauren's men's Purple Label is distinctly tailored and sophisticated. We really love this distiguished look and think that grooms should take note of this attention to crisp, clean lines and impeccable detail.

Ralph Lauren's signature understated elegance is also the inspiration behind a menswear photo shoot that Iza of the Events Team is coordinating for the Wedding Album. Look out for the winter edition of the Wedding Album to view the shoot, it's the perfect guide for style savvy men to update their wardrobes this season.

Insert by: Iza de Lange

We're still smitten with turquoise, one of the hottest colours of 2012. It's vibrant and sexy, while also slightly whimsical. Varety from the events team created this gorgeous moodboard that celebrated this beautiful colour.

Turquoise looks great as an accent colour to introduce some depth to a white or neutral interior. It's cool undertones make it a great companion to other shades such as pink, yellow, green, purple and even deep reds.