The New Years Eve Line-Up: 2015 Edition

New Year's Eve is one of my favourite night's of the year. Its like being caught in the surreal comfort of "WTF did I do this year?" and a fresh, new beginning. Still not sure where to ring in the New Year come 31 December 2014? 

We're pretty spoiled for choice right now - the SA party scene is brimming with the promise of bright lights, lust on the dance floor & a New Years Eve kiss, splattered with tequila.

Here's my round-up of the hottest NYE parties in Durban and Cape Town!

    DURBAN:

Celebrate your city at the FACT DURBAN ROCKS NEW YEAR'S EVE PARTY at the Moses Mabida Stadium, with the likes of Black Coffee, Mafikizolo, DJ Tira and Big Nuz. With the city skyline at your fingertips, you definitely don't want to miss this one! 

Tickets cost R250 for general admission or R750 for VIP. Get more information here. 

The BALLITO NEW YEAR'S EVE STREET PARTY is basically a right of passage in Durbs, and this year promises to be one for the record books. With a ten-year anniversary around the corner, we've been promised a complete "neon spectacle", with DJ Fresh, Pascal & Pearce, GLOWINTHEDARK and Flash Republik. 

Find out more here.

Can't make it to Ibiza? Then make your way to the IBIZA WORLD TOUR at the Wavehouse in Gateway! Make your NYE one to remember by breaking into 2015 with an ultra hot line-up of some of the best international house and electro DJs. The line-up includes Klingande (France), Michael Calfan (France), Da Cat (France), Pascal and Pearce (SA) and Dennis Kruissen (Netherlands). 

Tickets are available from Computicket and prices range between R480 and R1 400. 

      

      CAPE TOWN:

If hitting a trendy sidewalk is more your thing, the PROTEA HOTEL FIRE AND ICE has got you covered! The promise is a tropical style beach party, complete with confetti, cannons, the best of Metro FM and a chance to rub shoulders with the city's elite.

Tickets will be available at the door on the night, and range between R200 - R1550. 

Head to The Bungalow and welcome the new year with an island style soiree courtesy of CAPE TOWN CALLING! With DJ's Roger Goode, Milkshake, Dean Fuel and Goodluck on decks, 2 stunning dance floors, and partners 5FM, GUESS and Red Square, you're pretty much guaranteed a breathtaking New Year’s Eve experience. 

Tickets range from R550 for general admission and R850 for VIP. I went to last year's soiree, and can promise you that you definitely don't want to miss this one! Get your tickets here.

Sun, sand and the finer things in life? Kick of your 2015 at SHIMMY BEACH CLUB’S NEW YEAR’S EVE EXTRAVAGANZA and London’s hottest dance group, ‘The Girly Show'. Get ready for a lavish affair, filled with glitzy garb and the hottest deep house beats this side of SA.

General entry tickets (includes complimentary welcome drink) cost R850 and are available from Computicket.com.

Get Juiced With Cold Press!

I'm really not much of a juicer. Sure, I love the odd Kale leaf, and nothing cures a tequila binge quite like a fresh smoothie, but who has time to juice an entire vegetable garden?

On Monday evening, I headed to the official media launch of Cold Press, which is probably going to turn into one of my new favourite Summer obsessions!

Cape Town is currently experiencing the smooth thrill of a juice revolution, with most people looking for a new way to stay healthy during the infamous spell of 'Silly Season'. 

Cold Press is the perfect new spot to combat that sugar addiction, carb obsession or late night bender. 

So, what sets this chic eatery apart?  An edgy interior. Rich textures. Raw yumminess. And,  quality service. The concept is simple, yet works like a charm. 

Cold Press caters to pretty much every palate, with delicious options such as tossed quinoa salads, hot tuna sandwiches and a peanut butter/banana duo that would make The King himself proud. 

We were treated to cheeky cocktails courtesy of Absolut Vodka, which proved that after-hour concoctions can be both fresh and healthy. I was super impressed with the Pop My Berry (how cute is the name?) cold pressed juice, which is a delightful blend of pink grapefruit, pineapple, green apple and fresh mint. 

In terms of appetite-pleasing options, I tried The Rabbit King salad (quinoa, roasted butternut, feta, avo, dried cranberries, toasted seeds, baby leaves & a lemon-olive oil dressing), which completely changed my perception of quinoa being a tasteless grain, which is only eaten by hipsters and health nuts. The Up Stream salad is also worth mentioning, as this is one cafe, who definitely don't skimp on their smoked salmon! 

I doubt that Cold Press will be a fleeting experience for Capetonians, as its been designed to deliver more than the typical juice bar exploit. The cafe has taken a spicy approach to delivering a raw, authentic experience, with a crowd-pleasing menu and an urban edge. 

Thanks must go to Marina Nestel & her team at The Little Black Book PR & Events for a fabulous evening!

You can visit Cold Press at the Cape Quarter Lifestyle Village: The Square | 27 Somerset Road | De Waterkant | Cape Town |

Cold Press is open 7 days a week, from 7AM to 6PM  (021 - 418 1155).

Quarter Life Crisis? Ain't Nobody Got Time For That.

I've been single for most of my 25 years. People often find it surprising that I seemingly have my shit together, am not a complete weirdo, and yet, I have never really indulged in the whole 'lets-watch-The-Notebook-every-Friday-night' club. 

Sure, I've had flings. I've had the pleasure of getting to know a few boys over a glass of Merlot, and impending rose-tinted sunglasses. I've even had my cardiovascular system malfunction over unrequited lust.

The truth is that I've never really known myself enough to know someone else. Until recently. They say that love is about recognising yourself in another soul, right? But, how do you engage in some sort of intimacy with another human being, when you feel completely disconnected with yourself? 

This year has been one of the most stressful, aggravating and exhausting years of my life, and yet it has also been one of the most beautiful, honest & life-altering ones. 

Pain really is the best medicine when it comes to changing the way we interpret the world, and the way we see ourselves. A few months ago, I came to the realisation that my life had to radically change, if I was ever to be the free-spirited soul, that my body desperately craved. 

I decided to take a breather from "real life", resigned from my job, went home to Durban, and resolved to channel all my energy into uncovering the layers of my mixed-up mind. It was probably the best decision of my life. Screw the "quarter life crisis" stereotype of a lost soul, covered in mounds of insecurity and misplaced emotions - 25 has been the year of falling in love with ME, discovering who I am, and knocking down a few walls. 

A few years ago, I was more concerned with how many friends I had, if people liked me, and what I looked like. Now? I relish in saying "no" to people, have a close-knit group of friends-turned-family, and I don't really care whether you think I'm pretty enough. 

I'm more interested in whether I like ME, if I'm happy at 2am when I'm alone in bed, and whether I'm living my life with an unapologetic sigh of passion. Life. It changes who you are, who you thought you were, and who you'd like to be.

At 25, I love my so-called "quarter life crises" in all its unsettling emotion. 

I've started to play with my demons, purged my life of those who don't belong in it, and I may even be ready to watch The Notebook on a Friday night.  

25 is an opportunity to get to know yourself. Do it. I dare you.

Take Charge & Recharge.

Imagine being able to charge your phone at any time, and in any place? We've all experienced the horror of a dead phone battery - zero way in which to get hold of  your BFF, search for an important email or Google Map your way out of "No Man's Land".  

If you're like me, and pretty much ALWAYS find yourself low on power, then Take Charge has a fashionable and functional answer for you! Take Charge is a range of genuine leather bags, with built-in Smart phone/tablet chargers, which have been designed to suit your 24/7 techno-brained life. 

Equipped with a micro USB port and iPhone adapter, TAKE CHARGE bags are compatible with most smartphones, including all modern Samsung’s, BlackBerry’s and iPhone’s. 

The bags are available in a variety of fashionable, on-trend summer designs and colours, which are perfect for fashionably adding a pop of colour to any outfit. Plus, each bag comes with a branded bronze plaque, giving you the the option to personalize your bag at an additional cost. Priced at R699 and upwards, this is definitely on my Christmas Wish List!

Take Charge and shop here. 

The Fedora. Obsessed.

I recently popped in to Cotton on and bought my favourite new obsession - a gorgeous Fedora hat (R299)! My shopping accomplice initially compared my new look to that of a siren, dealing in late-night witchcraft, but screw that: the Fedora is a MUST.

Reasons I can't get enough of my mysterious new cover-up? The Fedora is perfect for those annoying, I-Just-Woke-Up-Like-Hermione-Granger bad hair days, which I seem to face every single morning. 

I love the fact that this is a hat which instantly "speaks", without uttering a single syllable: wear it to the side & work a little mystery, or pull it down & bask in a little moodiness. 

Understated cool has never been this simple.

My Playlist...Right Now!

                                               
                                         
                                                                 Maps - Maroon 5

                                             
                               
                                                                Delirious (Boneless) - Steve Aoki

Ghost - Ella Henderson

Rather Be - Clean Bandit

No Mediocre - T.I. ft. Iggy Azalea

                   
                                                                     Waves - Mr Pobz

Borrowing From The Boys

The October issue of Glamour Netherlands stars model Soekie Gravenhorst in an eye-catching grunge themed shoot, which pretty much ticks all my boxes. The tomboy beauty stuns in an assortment of 90's inspired pieces, including denim overalls, plaid shirts and over-sized coats. Check it out!

20-Something Diaries: Atish Jogi

I love the fact that a great outfit can change your mood, your mindset and, your identity. 

Picture a 20-something who isn't afraid to push the boundaries of style, with a perfectly suited and booted exterior, and you have Atish Jogi.

Atish is certainly one of SA's most suave men, and cemented this reputation by winning GQ's Best Dressed Reader 2012. Fashion is my favourite method of expression - you don't have to say a word, and yet the world gets a glimpse of who you are, where you're going and what you want out of this crazy ride. 

Atish has perfected the art of dressing for your mood, doubles as a Ben Sherman ambassador and is slowly climbing the corporate ladder. In a perfectly tailored suit of course. He's passionate about spreading the gospel of style, and recently chatted to me about his loves, lusts and affinity for a good, clean pair of underpants. 

May: In terms of fashion, are there any stylish men out there who you personally admire?

Atish: It would be a toss up between Shakah Madioh and Sam Lambert from Art Comes First. I love the way they pay attention to detail, and the fact that they aren't afraid to experiment with new things.  

May: Describe your personal style?

Atish: Preppy with a fresh twist.

May: What's the one thing you can't live without?

Atish: My Family, and unfortunately my phone.

May: What's the perfect first date outfit for a lady?

Atish: A well fitted LBD and some simple heels. Your scent is more important here!

May: What's the one fashion trend you can't stand?

Atish: I was never a fan of the camouflage vibe when it happened. And, I can't stand seeing gentlemen wearing leggings!

May: Which 5 items should all men own?

Atish:

A tailored black suit

A pair of indigo dyed denims

A pair of white All Stars

A pair of fitted khaki chinos

Good,clean quality underpants.

May: What inspires you?

Atish: Change. The fact that nothing in life is constant and that we have the ability to alter whatever we want, however we want.

May: Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

Atish: Hopefully in a space where I am empowering others and doing what I love!

It would be a mix of fashion and commerce, perhaps a store where men who understand how important perception and image are come to shop and network.

Text Me When You're Drunk

If there's one thing that I love more than a well-rounded glass of Merlot, it’s probably receiving a drunk text from an inebriated member of the opposite sex. Those 2am drunken proclamations of love may smell like cheap liquor and lust, but I effing love it.

Most of us have had the unfortunate luck of hitting SEND on a psychotic text after a night on the town. You either go home with a guy or you go home with McDonalds. 

If you're heading home with salted fries, then you may as well do it shamelessly. And, nothing screams shameless quite like an "I think I like you" drunken scribble, followed by a mid-morning screech of "OH GOD".   

According to Bruce Bartholow, author of “Alcohol Effects on Performance Monitoring & Adjustment: Affect Modulation and Impairment of Evaluative Cognitive Control”, alcohol doesn't make you behave badly; it just makes you care less. 

You're basically at your most honest after a few sparkly cocktails. After all, drunken words ARE sober thoughts; we say what we mean & we don't give a rat's arse about the repercussions. I wish I had the balls to live with such candor on a daily basis.

The trouble with the common drunk dial is the infamous 10am "WTF was I thinking?" realization that you may have just scared the object of your affections away. Alcohol is basically a sedative to our nervous system and affects the part of our brain responsible for emotion and behaviour. It’s no wonder that most of us would rather fall into a diabetic coma, before looking at that Call Log from the night before! 

            "If he doesn't text you when he's drunk, than he's just not that into you." 

We've started to glamourize drunk texts to the extent that they've turned into post-tequila ego trips. They make us feel more secure about our relationships - you assume that said drunk "chose" to text you first, and therefore they must really like you. 

Drunk ramblings somehow convey the notion of a boozed-out soul showing off their vulnerability, in a sick, sloshed out manner. 

Booze makes you feel powerful. You suddenly don't care about repercussions, unrequited love or what people think. Screw hiding your feelings? I'm all for blatant honesty, but nothing good ever comes out of "I'm sooo drunk".  

Remember, liquid courage eventually turns into a hot mess. My tip? Leave your phone at home, hide it or text your bestie instead. 

Or, you could grow a pair, be honest and say what you mean when you're sober. Life's way too short to wait for Happy Hour.