This past week I attended a very fun event here in Cape Town, South Africa. It was held at the Shimmy Beach Club at the harbour. I loved the vibe of the evening. There were loads of people all gathered together to see who would win the coveted title of the Cosmopolitan Hottest Bartender of the Year (with prize money of R20 000)!Cosmopolitan magazine, in partnership with Collison’s White Gold Brandy, announced on 14 January this year the five guys and five girls who got the nod to compete for the title of “SA’s Hottest Bartender”. The 10 finalists for 2013 were featured in the February issue of Cosmo. Readers had the opportunity to scrutinize these movers and shakers of creative cocktails, and to vote for their favourite. The aim of the Cosmopolitan Hottest Bartendersearch every year is to find a bartender with the perfect combination of creativity and charisma, who has his or her craft honed to perfection.
The competition is not judged only on looks: each entrant has to submit an original cocktail recipe.
They will then be required to prepare their cocktails on the night of the big finale in Cape Town on 14 March, and the overall winner will walk away with the grand prize of R20 000.
The 10 finalists were:
Dillon Nuss from Taco Zulu, Durban
Le Riche Meyer from Carnival Court, Cape Town
Nicole Adams form Boulevard, Durban
Gabriella Trollip from Tiger Tiger, Cape Town
Domenico De Lorenzo from Molecular Bars, Johannesburg
Johnny Bezuidenhout from Café Caprice, Cape Town -WINNER
Robyn Horwitz from Movida, Johannesburg
Imaan Mac Quena from Jade Champagne Bar & Lounge, Cape Town
Nancy Ellis from Hooters, Durban
Donovan Prince from Café Caprice, Cape Town
I personally loved the girls. They had a lot of spunk and could definitely hold their own next to the boys. But I have to say, the boys had that cockiness that’s a huge crowd pleaser in something like this. Let’s put it this way……while the girls were smiling, doing a few dance moves from behind the counter and tamely stirring in the vodka, the boys were literally ripping their shirts off, jumping on the counter and flexing their tattoo-covered muscles while shaking that martini!
And let me just say .. HUBBA HUBBA! I mean, C’mon, They had us at HELLO
The winner was Johnny Bezuidenhout from Cape Town’s most popular beach bar Café Capriceand he was really deserving. MCPoppy Ntshongwana didn’t have a hard time handing over the cheque!
We shot Caprice‘s Skybok Profile a few months ago and for the video, we got Johnny to prepare a Mojito for us on-camera – check out his talent for yourself by watching itHERE.
A great performance was given by iScream & The Chocolate Stix after the show and I really enjoyed their performance. It’s nice to hear local bands singing good music. Check out their blogHERE.
Thank you to everyone involved for bringing us an awesome event!
Christmas / New Year’s is that delicious little period in life when all the worries of the world seem to fade away into some fantastically naughty little indulgence.
It can actually be any indulgence in the world – allow me to show you some of my little indulgences over the past 2 weeks
I flew up to Johannesburg with my family & stayed at the Tsogo Sun hotel, the Southern Sun Hotel, Montecasino.
It was absolutely heavenly!!
It’s a brand-new addition to the hotel family at Montecasino from my understanding… opened in May 2010.
I’ve always stayed at their legendary Palazzo hotel when I’ve travelled to Montecasino.
I still absolutely love it! But compared to this new addition, it’s a tad old-fashioned.
Apparently it’s due for refurbishment this year, which will hopefully give it the freshness & contemporary ambiance of its sister hotel the Southern Sun!
Opened in May 2010 the Southern Sun Montecasino located at The Pivot is an exciting addition to the Montecasino Precinct. The hotel has 194 bedrooms and offers all the modern facilities for both business and leisure travellers including a high spec gymnasium.
The hotel reflects a fusion of period and modern Venetian furnishings with a fresh electric style. Punchinello’s restaurant offers Mediterranean cuisine in an exciting open plan kitchen which allows guests to share in the activities of the bustling kitchen.
A contemporary bar and lounge leads out to a large wooden deck overlooking the pool which is the ideal setting for sundowners.
We had a gorgeous view from our room overlooking the Sun Square as well as a superbly-designed lake, fully equipped with a family of ducks and my favourite – two black swans
Walking out of our hotel, there was easy access to the main Montecasino entertainment complex.
We spotted these fabulous Venetian-inspired statues along the way!
I loved them – there was a statue for every season. My favourite was Summer…
There was also just generally some beautiful Venetian-inspired scenery which was so inspiring.
There is an exciting hub just a 5 min walk from our hotel called Sun Square which is just brilliant!
Complete with restaurants – including the winner of Masterchef South Africa’s very own restaurant called Aarya - a musical fountain, a big screen TV, a clock tower and a giant Teatro (Italian for “Theatre”) hosting top notch productions all year round!
Everything in the complex is styled to look like Venice, which I loved.
This is where we celebrated New Year’s Eve…. my best New Year’s of them all!!
The fireworks at the stroke of midnight were marvelous!!!
I absolutely loved them.
I think fireworks at midnight on New Year’s is an absolute MUST.
Fireworks & champagne, that’s a true celebration for a new year <3
All these pics are by my brother, Dane Doubell.
Prior to the countdown on New Year’s Eve we enjoyed the award-winning, much-acclaimed musical production Dirty Dancing.
It blew me away!!!
I was really excited to wear my new dress from Forever New, white always looks great against a bit of a tan
me & my bro
On New Year’s Eve we started a special new tradition which I hope will last for a very long time…
We lit 2 beeswax candles which were part of a delicate little ornament I received as a gift from a friend who went to the German Christmas Market last year!
I lit the candle on the left for the old year and blew out all of the past.
Then I lit the candle on the right for the future, and breathed in the light of the new year!
I recently created a quote for myself which is where the premise of this tradition began
Breathe out the past and breathe in the future
I also saw one great quote at Skoobs - my new favourite book store – which held lovely significance for me!
how true!
To top it all off, I threw a lucky penny into this fountain on New Year’s Eve and made a wish ……….. (i’m not telling!)
Okay okay it might have something to do with the necklace i was wearing………….. hehehe
What I totally enjoyed about the Montecasino was walking around the complex popping into this shop and that, grabbing an iced coffee and watching the live entertainment the Monte organizes.
There’s always some entertainment in the centre, from saxophone players to magicians to singers to circus folk.
It’s really the place to be!
I found a book store which I absolutely fell in love with called Skoobs and I really think we need one in Cape Town!!
I also watched two 3D films at the cinema which I adored!!
-Go see them!!
Something we loved to do was take a golf cart during the days from our hotel to the Palazzo and swim in their beautiful pool!
We alternated between swimming at our hotel and the Palazzo hotel, which were both so gorgeous…
with my mom
me!
A few more indulgences were definitely at the breakfast buffet!!
There were so many people at this hotel and in the complex generally.. I knew we’d picked the perfect place to spend New Year as a family
Flying there business class also helped!
G & T is my favourite drink ever
Recently a new favourite that has been added to the list is a rum & orange juice…. you must try it!
my awesome lunch… Thank you South African Airways!
On the last day we visited the Montecasino Bird Gardens ……… and WOOWWWW!
I loved it.
My impressions of the park were that it is very clean and spacious.
Also that they have such a diverse collection of birds.
The birds are well looked after and I was thoroughly delighting in all the various exotic birds they have there…
They hold wonderful bird shows every day at different times of the day.
I really enjoyed it much more than I first thought I would – I felt like a kid again!
There was one creature I particularly liked, and that was the chameleon!
I also liked the snake, seeing as 2013 is the year of the snake!
It also turns out I’m more afraid of birds than I realized… when handling some exotic bird at one point, one of his friends flew onto my head and I got the biggest fright ever!
I screamed so loud I probably scared most the patrons, and lucky for you I have a very embarrassing video !
It was a nightmare, but my brother seemed to enjoy it, haha!
I calmed my nerves at a nearby waterfall – gorgeous!
Finally, that night, we went and got a super Thai Massage!
Those massages are absolutely something else – very rough but heavenly at the same time!
We did a foot massage and then went into a full body “deep tissue” thai massage.
Absolutely incredible!
They actually manipulate your entire body as part of the massage.
It’s quite something – had me stretching in positions I never knew I could!
The parlour where the Thai spa was lay inside the Montecasino complex, making it very convenient for us!
I just remember walking in and smelling the sweet scent of vanilla incense…. it was stunning <3
I loved everything about this place and it certainly made me add “get a thai massage at least once a month” to my resolutions list!
Here is some more info on Thai massages (I found it quite interesting!)
Traditional Thai massage is based on the belief that all life force spirals around special pathways, or prana pathways, in the body. There are 72 000 invisible energy lines, which make up the energy body. Any blockage along these lines can cause disease (dis-ease) on a physical, emotional and spiritual level. Thai massage focuses on 10 important lines, called sen sip. By releasing any blocked energy along the sen lines, prana can flow freely, thereby restoring balance, health and harmony in the body.
Traditional Thai massage is a combination of acupressure, reflexology and yogic exercises, or gentle stretching, which manipulates the energy lines and so diminishes tension, stimulates metabolism and creates a feeling of wellbeing and vitality. Unlike some other therapies, you will feel refreshed and energized after a Thai massage, rather than sedated and lethargic.
After a glorious holiday in Johannesburg, we flew back to my home town Port Elizabeth where I am currently writing to you from!
Stay tuned for more updates as I go out into 2013 living outside my comfort zone!
As I attempt to keep my resolutions, start some interesting new hobbies, get daring & get snapping away to bring you some awesome photo moments!
My friend Gabi recently launched a fashion label and beauty spa with her sister Kelly.
They had a fabulous launch at their premises in Annerley street in Rondebosch yesterday, and what a turn out it received!
They truly outdid themselves for the event, honouring a fashion label they began in memory of their mother.
They call themselves “Milq and Honey” House of Fashion, Health & Beauty, and you can like their Facebook page HERE.
I personally love the name.
Gabi says to me she is the ‘Milq’ in “Milq and Honey”, hahaha!
Well the line is very fiery just like her and I was so impressed with what I saw in the show which followed soon after the guests arrived.
Well done to the whole Milq & Honey team on a beautiful collection!
The show took about 40 mins and by the look on people’s faces, everyone loved what they saw.
After my fourth daquiri (courtesy of Mainstay who set up a bar there), I just remember good music, sun, beautiful eats platters going around, a red carpet and balloons!
- Oh yes! There was also a lady doing Henna hand art.
The rest is a delicious strawberry-flavoured blur!
I remember at one point I took a tour of the premises. I thought the spaces of the rooms were great- very big, high ceilings, clean and professional.
I also loved the scent of vanilla I smelt in every treatment room.
The professional photos are coming soon (courtesy of Paul Ward), I’m sure they’ll be much better-looking than mine!
But you get the idea!
Thank you again Milq & Honey for a fantastic event!
And thank you to Chica Loca in Cavendish for dressing me for this event.
If there’s one group who can sure throw a party………. it’s the Cosmo Clan!
They truly outdid themselves this year at their Swimwear Pool Party which was held at Shandiz Restaurant & Cocktail Bar, Mandela Rhodes Place, corner of Wale and Burg Street, Cape Town.
I dressed up in my sexiest best and joined them for what was an evening nothing short of Cosmolicious!
I mean, honestly!
What a way to kick start Summer.
Everything was big, bold & colourful.
I thoroughly enjoyed some of the eye candy that was walking around serving the food and giving away free stuff!
It started at 5pm and wrapped up at 10pm.
with SABC Expresso Show’s Graeme Richards
with Playmate of the year Jade Fairbrother & SABC Expresso Show’s Leigh-Anne Williams
opening our fortune cookies
Sure, I’ll have a towel! Thanks.
I barely remember much as there was so much going on all around me; I have flashes of swirling ice cream, a swimwear show, Revlon painting my nails, Dentyne giving me gum, Billabong’s pool of balls (sounds bad) to win my hat, trying on Bronx shoes, Goldfish playing and firedancers putting on a good show!
The whole thing was so utterly 4D if you pressed your nose to this blog post you could probably smell the chocolate mousse from these guys -
COSMOPOLITAN turned up the heat this weekend to celebrate the long-awaited arrival of summer. Held at Shandiz Mandela Rhodes Place, the crystal clear pool with its cityscape backdrop was the perfect way to enjoy the first of many pool parties this festive season. Guests were treated to cocktails, delicious snacks, loads of ice cream and some very hot bodies. The stunning Anthea Schotlz opened the event with a sexy sunset session followed by an amazing performance by Goldfish.
I bought their flagship wine for myself – The Boet Erasmus 2009.
We shot their video profile for Skybok recently as a result!
I made a new friend in The Pillsbury man while we walked around -
and I entered a competition to win this car -
Oh yeah!
The wine tasting was way too much fun..
I laughed as I overheard the organizer tell one of the wine stalls to stop giving out such large portions in the ‘tastings’ because people were getting frisky..
Haha!
I went with my good friend Candice and we had a fabulous time sampling this new champagne vodka that’s out.
Oh yes, and some shots of I can’t remember what.
and some cocktails..
and some new Bubblegum flavoured liqueur by a company called Smooch Beverages
- Ok ok, I honestly can’t remember much, but I know I got this green scarf and a photo on a wall as a prize.
So we’re at the end of the year and I must say I’m quite excited for season to start here in Cape Town.
That’s when a huge deal of castings and auditions happen every week, as filmmakers – local and international – flood to the mother city and start prepping for films and commercials they want to shoot over the summer months and even into next year.
It’s also when you start seeing those drop-dead-make-you-jealous Brazilians everywhere whose legs go on for years.
Why? Because models and actors from other countries actually fly to South Africa for these months to book work.
It’s like me flying to the USA for four of their busiest months, during a time when South Africa is quiet (winter).
I wish!
Recent castings I’ve been to have been for Vodacom, International Banking groups, Cars (Peugeot for instance), Technology companies (LG and Hisense for example) and even a British TV series. So…we’re warming up.
One of the auditions was at Cape Town Film Studios – a really stunning (massive) area on the way to Stellenbosch with modern studios, just like you see in Hollywood
I was totally impressed.
As I walked to my audition (a 2 page monologue in a British accent), I passed massive sets being built, warehouses full of props and people running around on various film-related missions.
It remains to be seen whether I got any of those castings or not…. I do know I’ve been optioned for the Peugeot commercial which shoots in November:):)
In the meantime I did a nice voice over recording in a place called Milestone studios last week and I have another one this week for MWEB.
The recording at Miletsone was for a new website where people can book online for restaurants.
A very cool idea and the project is called “Come Dine” (www.comedine.co.za).
I’m looking forward to an MC (Master of Ceremonies) job I am doing this upcoming weekend at a trendy nightclub called ZAR, where a very nice fashion show will be happening.
I always love doing events like fashion shows – the atmosphere is very relaxed and playful, everyone is sipping on cocktails and you’re basically just overseeing a big party!
I love the outfits, the people, the music, the free stuff you can win and I love watching the audience get slowly sozzled on the free drinks
This fashion show sees designers Ladybugz, Nocturnal, Longstreet Boutique – Cavendish and FCM – Ferial’s Closet Makeover showing off garments on 15 gorgeous models.
Among the sponsors for the night are GHD and Mini Cooper (who are sponsoring 2 Mini Coopers and a Grand Prize).
Talking about Longstreet Fashion Boutique, I have a photo shoot for their summer collection next week.
Longstreet Fashion Boutique
I’ve done a shoot for them once before for their winter stuff and I really loved the pics!
In my opinion Sundays are the best days of the week! They are the days post-partying from Friday and Saturday nights; the days when you are officially allowed to say “No” to invitations if you want to and the day you can sit down and plan the week ahead<3
It is also PIZZA day – when you can forget about being healthy
And GLAM day, when you pamper, preen and prepare to show off your sassy gorgeous self to every other day of the week!
It’s the day you get CREATIVE and GUTZY about your dreams
And it’s the day you can let your IMAGINATION run wild
Ok…so… while trying to organize the photographs on my computer (story of my life), I came across these photos of an event I MC’d last weekend. It was a fashion show in conjunction with the Wesley Guild society of the University of Cape Town (UCT)
MC stands for “Master of Ceremonies”.. It’s basically your job to host the event. Welcoming the audience, speaking about (in this case) the clothing they are seeing such as where it can be found, what label it is and so on. Maybe a bit about the label or the boutique itself. You pump up a crowd when the mood drops and you end off the event doing all the Thank Yous and saying goodbye
Now this was only my second MC job — my first was in high school MC’ing a Leaver’s dinner for all the girls in their final year. I remember I dressed up as a Pink Lady from Grease and put on an accent! #kindofcringe
Anyway, this was held at the Baxter theatre here in Cape Town – a really expansive and elegant space. The show was actually not in any of the arenas in the theatre, but just outside in a patio-type brickface area….
There were great South African designers showcasing their work – including labels like LoveValerie, MeMeMe, NoNameAttached, Monsoon and Sissy Boy
We as the MC’s were dressed by a well-known, trendy fashion boutique called Michiko London
The vibe was very relaxed – people coming and going between designers – and I preffered it because I was quite nervous! It was nice to have a co-host with me with whom to banter and have fun. Together we enjoyed the space, enjoyed the crowd and in fact I learnt a lot about local designers right here in CT!
I found that I really enjoyed MC’ing and I hope to do / be asked to do more gigs here in the Mother City… one thing to remember though – Do your research! I sat for an hour before the show gathering up as much info as I could online about all the designers ….. I try to prevent that awkward moment when you are standing in front of a crowd with nothing to say:)
Another thing I am learning about this industry….. you need a CONSTANT flow of energy! Your energy and enthusiasm in such an instance directly influences a crowd, so you have to constantly be radiant and up-beat as you take an audience through different stages of an event….
