July 27, 2022 4 Mins Read

Fake luxury being sold openly in South Africa

Should website owners be held accountable for what is listed by third party resellers when it comes to counterfeit products?

The simple answer is yes. When you provide a platform without the necessary safeguards to filter and block sellers of counterfeit goods, and the goods are sold via your website and you take a percentage of the sale… you should be liable. This will force website owners to put more checks in place to protects buyers.

How this all started for me

I have been lusting after 2 specific luxury bags in a specific print for months and decided to start looking at where I could purchase it in the secondhand market – because buying it new, is not going to happen.

… and before that, I watched hours of YouTube videos on how to spot a counterfeit, which bags have the most issues after a period of time, how to get it professionally authenticated and rather importantly, where I could take it to have professionally cleaned near me.

I felt prepared to weed out the counterfeits and to ask for the right pictures to get a proper authentication.

However, I wasn’t prepared for the oodles of fake bags being sold openly on Social Media and preloved goods websites. While I understand that to a degree sites like these rely on shoppers to spot and report counterfeit goods, not enough is being done to curb this very illegal practice. Action is also not taken fast enough after an item was reported.

A listing caught my eye, but I felt that niggling feeling of “it just can’t be real” – and I was right.

The listing description referred to an Instagram account of Brand Habit in Ballito

She claimed that it did have some sort of certificate and it was an authentic item bought from brand habit

I then asked her for more images to authenticate the bag and she sent me pictures of a completely different bag.

Finally she admitted to the item being fake or replica

I reported a listing to Yaga around 20 hours ago as I am writing this post, and the item is still active. I reported 3 further products in the last 13 hours, and they are also still active.

I also checked the Brand Habit Instagram page and they listed everything from Goyard to Louis Vuitton for max R3,000.

Not all counterfeit products are equal

Some fakes you’ll spot right away whilst others are far harder to identify. Some sellers will claim they bought it secondhand but lost dust bags and certificates of authentication. They’ll try convince you that you are mad for not jumping on the opportunity of owning a luxury bag at a bargain price…

My advice

My advice is to insist on pictures of the item with a list of shots and angles – especially when buying on a preloved website. Then submit those picture to an online authentication service for peace of mind.

Don’t buy because you think it is authentic because of higher price than you could get it from a hawker or china mall (there, I said it).

If however your budget can be stretched, consider buying from one of the reputable preloved websites that pre-authenticate and supply the certificate.

www.selten.co.za
www.theluxportal.com
www.luxity.co.za

Want to know more about spotting fake designer things?

https://www.businessinsider.co.za/how-the-experts-spot-fake-high-end-luxury-items-2021-9

May 6, 2022 3 Mins Read

We stayed at the Castle in Clarens | Review

Have you ever wanted to stay in a castle in South Africa? Well, we booked a night at the Castle in Clarens – and it was a surprising quaint stay on top of a hill with a view.

We decided to split our drive from KZN in 2 parts and booked a night at the Castle in Clarens. It was a wonderful experience in this tiny 2 bedroom castle. The castle was beautifully decorated with paintings, ornately painted in gold with small details at the bottom of the stairs.

We stayed for one night in the middle of the week and spent R1400 for the 4 of us (self catering).

When we first turned off the main road we had to drive around a 3 – 4 km dirt road to the entrance of Castle in Clarens. The castle gates were hard to miss. Once through the gates the castle revealed itself. The kids spotted the turrets and Rapunzel’s hair first.

The kids excitedly jump from the car and ran towards the garden gate of the castle as dad flung it open. They could barely wait for dad to unlock the front door. The first floor is a living room with a fireplace and it is decorated like in a fairytale castle with big chairs and a framed view of the valley and Clarens in the distance. Little knickknacks and paintings everywhere and then the stairs that wrap around the wall…

The first bedroom is just off the living room on the ground floor. It is Romeo and Juliet themed with a huge mural and beautiful stained-glass windows plus its own bathroom.

On the first floor is the kitchen. On this floor you can also enjoy the views from Angels Landing, the patio in the sky with sunset views. The kitchen has everything you may need including a fridge, microwave and a coffee machine.

When he flung open the door to Angels Landing the kids could not believe the views. One the one side you had rolling hills towards the town of Clarens, cattle in the distance , people walking from work to home. The little bench has the best views during sunset… On the other side there is another hilltop with a little garden at the back and the word Rapunzel in plants.

Walking up the last flight of stairs you finally get to the main bedroom with a big fourposter bed, really tall windows and a pebble bath. The kids were in the bath faster than you could say Castle in Clarens.

We felt like royalty when we found the 2 crowns upstairs in the main bedroom – which the kids promptly placed on their little blonde heads..

It was just such a great place to stay and the kids really loved being princesses for a day. I most definitely would love to take them back one day.

March 29, 2022 5 Mins Read

DISNEY CHANNEL & DISNEY JUNIOR APRIL 2022 Highlights

MIRA Premiere Episodes Saturday, 2^nd April & Sunday, 3^rd April at 17:30

Brand – new episodes of Season 2 of Mira, Royal Detective as a weekend stunt, 2^nd and 3^rd April at 17:30

Inspired by the cultures and customs of India, the series follows the brave and resourceful Mira, a young girl who travels throughout the fictional land of Jalpur solving mysteries for her friends, family and extended community.

In one of the new episodes, “Mystery in the Sky”, when Mira sees a strange speck in the sky, her friends help her investigate what it could be.

Then in “The Case of the Message in a Bottle”, Mira and her friends follow the clues found in a message in a bottle.

Tune in for new episodes from Season 2 episodes of Mira, Royal Detective on 2^nd and 3^rd April at 17:30 on Disney Junior

Disney Channel & Disney Junior March 2022 Highlights

T.O.T.S

Monday – Friday from 18^th April at 14:00

“T.O.T.S.,” a heartfelt animated comedy series for pre-schoolers, explores the hilarious adventures of best friends Pip and Freddy, a tenacious penguin and a kind-hearted flamingo, who are the only non-stork delivery birds in-training T.O.T.S. As new members of the esteemed team, these junior flyers must use tender care in taking baby animals—kittens, cubs, calves, bunnies, puppies and joeys among them—from the nursery to their forever families around the globe.

In the first of the new episodes, “The Great Fredamingo” (Monday, 18^th April at 14:00), Freddy mistakenly thinks he turned Pip into a penguin lovey with his latest magic trick. In “Ram-Bunctious Baby” – When JP tries to control a baby ram delivery, the little guy becomes more rambunctious.

Catch brand-new episodes of T.O.T.S from 18^th – 22^nd April 14:00 on Disney Junior

MARVEL SPIDEY AND HIS AMAZING FRIENDS

Special Earth Day Event

Friday, 22^nd April from 16:00 – 20:00

“Marvel’s Spidey and his Amazing Friends” is the first full-length Marvel series for pre-schoolers.

The series follows Peter Parker, Gwen Stacy and Miles Morales and their adventures as the young heroes team up with Hulk, Ms. Marvel and Black Panther to defeat foes like Rhino, Doc Ock and Green Goblin and learn that teamwork is the best way to save the day.

In the Earth Day inspired episode “Going Green” Team Spidey must stop Green Goblin from spewing his green gas all over the park in order to make it safe for the trees again.

Then in the episode “Coming Clean” – After Peter’s new invention begins swallowing everything in its path, he and Miles work to stop it.

Swing into action this Earth Day with Spidey and His Amazing Friends on 22^nd April from 16:00 on Disney Junior

AMPHIBIA

Season Premiere

Monday – Thursday from 4^th April at 17:50

“Amphibia” chronicles the adventures of 13 year old Anne Boonchuy, who is magically transported to the fantastical world of Amphibia. There she meets an excitable young frog named Sprig Plantar, his unpredictable sister Polly and overprotective grandpa Hop Pop.

In this new season Anne and the Plantars are transported from Amphibia to her hometown of Los Angeles, where the Frog Family must learn to navigate the complexities of this modern-day world, conceal their identities as talking frog people and search for a way home.

Catch Season 3 premiere episodes from Monday, 4^th April at 17:50 on Disney Channel.

WALK THE PRANK

Season Premiere

Monday – Friday from 11^th April at 18:40

The series is about practical jokers Herman, Chance, Bailey, and Dusty, who set up elaborate pranks and find real people to perform the pranks on. Their pranks usually involve supernatural, scary, funny or gross elements.

Blending scripted comedy with real hidden-camera pranks, each episode follows four kids’ antics in school and at home.

Season 1 episodes from 11^th April at 18:40 on Disney Channel.

EASTER PROGRAMMING STUNT

DISNEY MAGIC BAKE-OFF

Season Premiere

Friday, 15^th April & Saturday, 16 April from 12:00 – 17:00

Catch up on back-to-back episodes of Disney Channels’ new baking show Magic Bake-Off, which combines the wonder of baking with the ingenuity of young pastry chefs.

Imagination rules and teamwork triumphs as three teams of two race against the clock to design a Disney-inspired cake, including classics such as “Star Wars,” “The Lion King,” “Toy Story,” “Descendants,” “Zombies” and more.

Watch the entire season of Disney Magic Bake-Off on 15^th and 16^th April at 12:00 on Disney Channel.

February 16, 2022 2 Mins Read

Nando’s now at Gold Reef City Casino

When I received the invite to go to Gold Reef City with the kids, I was hesitant. It has been 2 years since we’ve done anything like this – but it was time…

We arrived at Gold Reef City and picked up our PR goodies from Nando’s at Gold Reef City Casino. We put the entry bracelets on and drove across to the theme park with our lovely Coolers from Nando’s.

The usual queues to get in was absent and then we got to the Kiddies Corner… and it was us and a few families.

The kids ran to the rides and jumped on as if they’ve done this before. They were in the air on elephants and balloons, scooting around rails driving a little car and chasing each other with bumper cars. They tucked into ice cream and Coke with eyes fixed on the colourful rides.

Just before 5 we ushered the kids onto the train back to the main gate and drove to the casino for a family meal at Nando’s. We had Pregos and Kiddies burger meals – and it was the perfect end to our day of fun! It was a our first sit down meal as a family since March 2020 in a restaurant. It was perfect.

Thank you Nando’s for inviting us out and reminding me just how much I missed fun days out and sit down food out of home with my kids! And those coolers you send us off with, I’ll be back!

January 6, 2022 2 Mins Read

‘n Kind se hart

Ek het altyd gedink dis net slegte mense wat hul ouers weggooi. Ek het nooit eers daaraan gedink dat daar soveel meer aan sulke stories kan wees nie. Sulke mense was net sleg…

Toe eendag gooi ek my pa weg.

Die dag dat ek die vrou van Delmas ontmoet het terwyl sy aan my pa vasklou en my vyandig aangluur, was die dag wat ek besef het my pa het ons vervang. Dit het my soos ‘n vuishou op my hart getref, ek (en my ma, en my kinders) het niks vir die man wat my pa was, beteken nie.

Die vrou van Delmas en haar dogter het goed oog gehou terwyl ek my ma se goed gepak het. Toe ek die laaste boks wat in die kar kon pas in het, het die dam van emosies gebreek. Ek het op hom geskreeu. Ek wou he hy moes my hoor.

Ek kon voel hoe my woorde op die grond val sonder dat hy my seer hoor en iets het net in my gebreek.

Al die strooi wat ek van weet wat hy aangevang het, die gagga-vroue wat hy “verlief op raak”… Die vrou wat amper my ma se kar uit hom geswendel het – tot ek haar gedreig het. Die los ding was hy na my ma se huis gesleep het – terwyl ek langs my ma se doodsbed gesit het vir 5 weke… Die leemte wat ek as kind rondgedra het van ‘n pa wat eerder tyd saam enige ander kind wou spandeer en die handjievol kere in 20 jaar wat hy sy voete in my huis kom sit het…

Ek kan myself troos met my ma se handgebreide truie (dis soos drukkies wat sy vir ons gemaak het) en in die spieel kyk om haar te sien maar net met my een skewe tand.

Ek dink nie meer alle mense wat hul ouers weggooi is slegte mense nie, want ek is ook nou een.

January 3, 2022 1 Min Read

Dear Dad: Goodbye

I want people to ask why I wasn’t there at the end
Why I didn’t read a beautiful letter
Didn’t speak through tears on my cheek
I want them to ask why your children didn’t visit like before
Why you weren’t welcome anymore

I want people to know that you weren’t the person they thought they knew
I want them to see you the way I see you without her

I won’t see you again
I won’t be at your funeral
I won’t write a letter
or shed a another tear

Just like you didn’t love me from my first breath
You didn’t love her at her last
You forgot to care that our world got ripped apart
Your mask had slipped
That is how I will remember you

So I guess that’s it then dear dad

This is a 3 part letter, starting with ‘Dear Dad: Unwanted’

January 2, 2022 1 Min Read

Dear Dad: Unwanted

I grew up thinking I was a disappointment, an unwanted girl
I grew up seeing you choose your family and friends’ sons over me
I grew up seeing you leave my court to watch them toss a ball
I grew old and still can count the times you visited on a single hand

I stood by you when I thought you needed it most
I didn’t yet know you betrayed us in her final hours
I didn’t know how far you would fall

You didn’t know that I still look at her in the mirror
and you didn’t know that I could walk away

I just wanted you to know that dear dad

I know this letter will never get to you, dear dad, but I had to let you know that I will never break, I will never be like you and I will always put my kids first.

This is a 3 part letter, starting with ‘Dear Dad: Unwanted’

January 2, 2022 4 Mins Read

Dear Dad: Rejected

I didn’t realize it at the time, but that would be the last time I would see him. That thought only hit home as I stood in my closet a few months later with a tiny folded white piece of paper from my mom.

She possessively snaked around him as we pulled up to the house on the mountain. He stood there with his hand on a little boy’s head, not stepping forward.

It was an awkward moment that reminded me that I would never be a son that he always wanted and that I would always matter less than other people’s children.

As we sat in the living room of the home my mom once occupied, I was determined to keep the tears from escaping – while that woman smugly sat there with her hand possessively on his arm with a defiant look of victory.

He was oblivious to my hurt. He was oblivious to what sat next to him.

I remember standing there shoving things into our car, tears streaming down my face. He didn’t want anything that was hers. He didn’t want to be reminded of the family that he had. He wanted to move on with that woman and her children and grandchildren. His new family.

As my dad and I hugged for the last time the dam of emotions escaped through my mouth. I desperately wanted him to hear me this time, I yelled at him but he just stood there. I could see that my words didn’t find a place to land. I could see he was hurt that I didn’t accept his relationship – just like the ones he had since before she passed.

As we drove down the mountain in a car full of my mom’s things, I cried. I could barely see the scenic road back to my older sister’s house. I knew that I had just seen my dad for the last time. It sat heavily in my heart. It was an inevitable end to a tragedy that started way too long ago.

I spilled it all in front of my sister’s teenagers. The women, the cheating, the lies – and now this woman that would be the last straw for a family that lost the one that mended clothes and broken hearts. I didn’t care that they would see him as I did. I wanted my final rejection and pain to be felt.

Communication between us died down to a trickle after that day. The daily calls I made since her passing stopped. I would sometimes send photos of my kids in the hope that it would spark a longing for family. It never did. He decided to marry that woman and be with that family instead. His abandonment of us was complete.

Last week I stood in the closet of our new house with a shoe box full of bits and bobs when I spotted a tiny folded piece of paper. My heart jumped because I recognized her handwriting. All the note said was ‘vir San’. It must’ve come from something she gave me years ago. It was such a special find that I now look at while sitting at my desk every day.

As I sat on the cold tiles in the middle of the walk-in, I was overcome with sadness. My heart stopped for one painful moment as I realised that I had lost both my parents in that hospital in 2019. The one bravely fought until the end to stay whilst the other had already planned on moving on with a new life that didn’t include reminders of a 44-year lived life.

As I shakily exhaled, I realised that it doesn’t matter how old I am, that first scar of feeling unwanted still hurts more than than the fresh rejection. A parent should love unconditionally – and always.

My bruised heart knows that I have learnt to be and do better than he ever could – because my mom was unconditional and I want to be like her, always.

This is a 3 part letter, starting with ‘Dear Dad: Unwanted’

November 29, 2021 3 Mins Read

November 2021 Newsletter

Who had a BIG sigh of relief after the family meeting last night? I don’t think anyone would have appreciated anyone standing between us and a holiday that we have needed since all of this started – right?

We are staying home this Christmas. We still have too much to do and well, the house is a black hole for money (I’m not complaining, I’m just broke). Please cheer me up and tell me about your amazing holiday plans!

Bush Villas on Kruger Special

Book a a Luxury Villa for R2550 (was R3200) per night for up to 6 guests for stays during 16-20 December 2021. R450 for extra adults and R200 for extra children in the larger villas.

Plus they have some space for stays from 29 December.

Contact reservations@bushvillasonkruger.com, join them on Facebook or Instagram.

Johannesburg Markets to visit

I’ve rounded up details for some of Joburg’s newest and oldest markets so you can have a fun festive shopping experience before Christmas. READ MORE

A taste of Joburg’s only winery

If you still don’t know about Gerakaris Family Wine 🍷🍷🍷 in Joburg… here is your reminder that we have a winery in our fair city. After the grapes arrive they are put through the process right here where you can also book a wine tasting. READ MORE

Spier Tasting Room at Indaba

I went home with #2 and a slab of chocolate because I want to relive this experience many more times. The experience is comparable to what you would get in Cape Town 🍷🍷🍷 READ MORE

Sunrise Society

Sunrise Society, a social club, had its first meet for a delicious chocolate and wine pairing at the Tasting Room @ Indaba Hotel. We were a small group, but seeing friendly faces over a beautiful glass of wine was a welcome sight after 2 years of no socials.

Join the FB group or WhatsApp group now to join us on our next adventure in Jozi.

Voortrekker Monument

Please, someone stop me, because I want to go see the “lewende laer” because… READ MORE

Visit the Eiffel Tower

More good times locked in with the kids in Harties. READ MORE

Upside Down House

Don’t even get me started about walking upstairs – or is it downstairs up??? READ MORE

Hello Barbie Fashionista

Guess who was so excited when a Barbie Fashionista house was delivered? Me! Then the kids saw it and now I can just look at them play with it.

Even more Barbie news! Barbie Mega Constux has hit the shelves and I spent all last week building the sets I was sent. Look out for my Instagram Stories and highlights plus the post later this week.

Give me some JAN yum

I recently discovered Jan’s free recipes – and now I am obsessed. I want to try the 12 pap recipes (because pap). VISIT JAN

November 29, 2021 2 Mins Read

Wine Tasting Experiences in Johannesburg

Tasting Room at Indaba Hotel

I invited my social club members, Sunrise Society, to join me for a 10am wine and chocolate tasting experience for R70 per person (4 wines, 3 chocolates). It’s quite an experience as it is actually backed by Spier – and it is almost the same as being in the Cape (except that it’s a lot closer to home).

Tip*: You can buy the chocolate and wine you loved most during a wine and chocolate wine pairing experience

I went home with #2 and a slab of chocolate because I want to relive this experience many more times. The experience is comparable to what you would get in Cape Town.

Gerakaris Family Wines

Tip*: Order a platter to go with your wine tasting experience

This little winery in the heart of Joburg is one of my favourite places to take clients to. It is set between a nursery and artisanal shops in a quiet street.

More places to have wine tasting experiences at in Johannesburg

Eighteen13 Wine Shop & tasting Room

Womanity

How this all started for me

Not all counterfeit products are equal

My advice

Want to know more about spotting fake designer things?

This is a 3 part letter, starting with ‘Dear Dad: Unwanted’

This is a 3 part letter, starting with ‘Dear Dad: Unwanted’

This is a 3 part letter, starting with ‘Dear Dad: Unwanted’

Bush Villas on Kruger Special

Sunrise Society

Hello Barbie Fashionista

Give me some JAN yum

Tasting Room at Indaba Hotel

More places to have wine tasting experiences at in Johannesburg