We’ve put together the ultimate holiday season gifting guide just for you. From fashion to beauty, accessories, shoes, jewellery and gadgets, training equipment, decor and kitchen appliances – we’ve got what you’re looking for!

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Improved Mood 

You’d think that being immersed in icy-cold water would put you into a bad  water therapy has been shown to have an effect on both depression and anxiety, with little to no side effects. According to the journal Medical Hypotheses, this is due to the fact that ‘exposure to cold is known to activate the sympathetic nervous system and increase the blood level of beta-endorphin and noradrenaline, and to increase synaptic release of noradrenaline in the brain as well.’

Improved Alertness

Whether it’s a swim in a cold tidal pool or an icy shower, cold water therapy can have a profound impact on your state of mental and physical alertness. A morning blast of cold water triggers your parasympathetic nervous system and gives you a sense of relaxed alertness, which makes it a great addition if you’re finding that your morning caffeine no longer works as well as it used to.

Improved Immune System

Increasingly, it seems like cold water acts like a jumpstart for your body. Our sedentary, indoor lifestyles have blunted some of the natural powers of our bodies and doing cold water therapy is one of the ways to reawaken them. A study published in the journal PLOS One, has shown that in a randomised trial in the Netherlands, cold bathers were 29% less likely to call off-sick from work. Although this was a small trial, there is a growing belief that cold exposure increases the number of white cells in your blood, which improves your immunity.

Ice-cold Rejuvenation

Cold water can wake you up but it can also help you to sleep. By slowing your heart rate and lowering your blood pressure and body temperature, a cold water shower before bed is a valuable tool in our frenetic world where sleep is becoming more and more valuable.

Words by Joel Summers 
Photogtaphy: Unsplash

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Sap-sucking Insects

Sap-sucking insects are those who attach themselves to plants and, like parasitic leeches, suck moisture and sap from its victim. These are just some of the more common types. 

1. Aphids  

Aphids feed on plant tissue, sucking the sugary sap from the host plant. While a few aphids can’t do much harm, these can soon multiply exponentially into a plant-wide infestation. Aphids will excrete a sugary deposit called honeydew that ants harvest in a mutually beneficial relationship. Often the first signs of aphid presence is a trail of ants. As the sap is sucked from the plant, it starts to wilt and suffer. Heavy infestations can cause buds to fall off, leaves to be shed, as well as stunt the plant’s growth. 

2. Psylla

You will soon notice the presence of these insects by the unsightly foliage on your citrus trees. Psylla, like Aphids, are minute in size. They’re light yellow and found on the edges of young leaves and new growth, where they lay eggs. These cause cavities in the leaf tissue and numerous bumps on the upper surfaces leading to malformed fruit and misshapen leaves. Serious infestations can put tremendous stress on a tree.

3. Red Spider Mites  

These minuscule insects infect roses, veggies and ornamentals. Tell-tale signs of infestation include discolouration of the upper leaf surfaces, fine red lacy appearance on the underside, dull-looking plants and stunted growth. Spider mites are very difficult to spot. If you suspect an infestation, hold a sheet of white paper under the plants foliage and shake forcefully. If tiny specs of dust-like debris falls on your paper, inspect this with a magnifying glass. If the dust starts walking around you have spider mites and should treat it immediately. 

4. Scale 

These tiny parasitic insects infest many species of trees and shrubs, adhering to the plant and living off the plant’s sap. They look like bumps and areoften mistaken as a disease. The 7 000+ species of scale insects vary greatly in colour, shape and size. Like Aphids, they secrete honeydew that leads to the formation of unsightly black sooty mould.

Leaf-eating Pests

These pests can cause huge damage in a short space of time and often cause inflated blood pressure in gardeners on discovering the damage. Common pests include chafers, caterpillars and snails. 

1. Chafers

If your rose bushes develop holes in the leaves or your rosebuds are being eaten, a chafer is probably to blame. These beetles are active at night and seldom seen. With the loss of foliage, the plant’s ability to photosynthesise is compromised, which slows down plant growth. Beetle infestations are also seen in vegetable gardens, too. 

2. Lily Borer Caterpillars

These destructive, zebra-striped pests hatch from clusters of tiny eggs laid by a largish white moth. The larvae hatch from the eggs in summer and voraciously start eating leaves and even tunnelling into bulbs leading to plant collapse and death. They are particularly attracted to amaryllis, clivia, agapanthus and all plants in the Lily family. 

3. Snails  

For decades, gardeners have been waging war on snails with remedies ranging from pet ducks and egg shells to beer traps (beer-filled containers buried level with the soil) that attract snails, only to find a boozy end! Snail bait and pellets may seem like an easy remedy, but be warned: The active ingredient, Metaldehyde, is flavoured to attract snails but also attracts dogs and other pets. This ingredient is extremely poisonous to pets. 

Words by Wynne Hartell
Photography:  Alamy; Unsplash

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Taking One Step Back

 The first step is, well, taking one step back. Take a look at the room and all its functions. It may seem a little obvious at first, but when you really consider what the room is and what it needs to do, it will make choosing the correct window dressing a whole lot easier. Let’s take a kitchen for example. Curtains can work, of course, but consider how close the window is tothe stove, prep area and sink. Over time, the fabric can draw in unwanted smells and even stains. In this case, using blinds would be the better option: They can be pulled open almost entirely, won’t absorb different smells, and can be cleaned with relative ease. On the other hand, when we look at the living room then the dynamics change. Here you might want to create a sense of warmth, while creating focal areas with texture, colour and contrast. Blinds won’t really achieve this, so curtains would be the best bet. Although you might have a preferred option, looking at the room holistically will help inform your decision-making, helping you choose not only what looks good, but what works well.  

Small Changes and Big Impacts 

Before running out and making that purchase, consider what the curtains or blinds might do to the room once they’re installed. 

• Dark blinds may make small rooms appear even smaller. 
• Curtains that are hung higherthan the windows can make rooms appear larger. 
• Blinds offer the best protection against light, without compromising on ventilation.
• In particularly sunny parts of the house, sunlight may bleach curtains over time.
• Blinds are easy to clean so dust, pollen, and animal hair can be kept under control. 
• Curtains can collect a lot of dust, pollen, and animal hair over time, and cleaning them requires quite a bit of effort. 

Counting Costs 

It’s possible you might already have an idea of what you want – more or less anyway. You’ve weighed up the room and its functions, and you’ve considered the look and feel. But when it comes to making the final decision, the budget is everything. Blinds are often the cheaper option – especially when they’re made of cheaper materials – so your rand can go a very long way. While blinds may often be the cheaper alternative, it’s important to consider a few important things. Blinds have several complicated mechanisms that allow them to open, close and dim. Over time, however, these mechanisms (and all the literal strings attached to them) can wear down and break. Additionally, blinds also require more intensive measuring and installation when compared with curtains.

Eyes on the Future 

Lastly, consider the following: Will the room evolve over time? If so, it’s best to opt for a solution that is flexible and can be easily changed up when needed. For this scenario, curtains might be the best option. Not only are they quick to replace and install, but they can even be rotated between different rooms in the home, meaning your style can evolve as you do. 

Introducing the Dream Duo 

When all is said and done though, it doesn’t have to be one or the other. If your budget allows for it, pairing curtains and blinds together can be quite impactful, presenting the best of both worlds. While it may take some time to find the perfect match (keeping colour coding, texture and materials in mind), the result can be amazing. For instance, you can maximise on sun protection and ventilation (through blinds), while creating the illusion of comfort and space (through curtains). 

TOP TIP:

Blinds should be cleaned once a month to keep things under control. Depending on the material, a quick and regular vacuum or dusting will prevent the blinds from getting to the point where they need to be soaked and washed. 

Curtains should be cleaned once every three months. Using just a vacuum cleaner or steamer while the curtains are hung is a quick and worth-while chore. Every now and again, remove the curtains all together, shake them out and consider using a fabric deodoriser.

Words by Edwain Steenkamp
Photography: Unsplash

The post What’s Best For You: Curtains or Blinds? appeared first on TFG Media.

CAVE GOLF

WHERE: Dock Road, V&A Waterfront

WHY: The V&A Waterfront has so much to offer. No wonder it’s such a hangout hotspot, both during and outside of the holiday season. One of their popular spaces is the Cave Golf course that’s situated at the equally exciting Scratch Patch (perfect for those stone-collecting friends in the group). At just R35 per player, you and your mates can enjoy the 18-hole mini-golf course with it’s cool rock features and obstacles that will add to the excitement. And bonus: it’s located close to the Two Oceans Aquarium – did someone say a whole-day adventure in the buzzing Cape Town Waterfront?

FIND THEM @:

scratchpatch.co.za

FOLLOW THEM:

scratchpatchsa (Instagram)

ROLLERCADE

WHERE: Parking Floor 3 Battery Park, V&A Waterfront

WHY: Who doesn’t love a good throwback to the ’80s? We sure do! Especially when it’s in

the form of a roller rink. Guys and girls, get ready for the time of your life at Cape Town’s first indoor rollerskating arena. On-site DJs will make sure that you can skate to the beat of some amazing tunes. And when you’re ready to take a break, why not enjoy a round of pool or some of the available arcade games? For R150 you get a two-hour session, skate hire and safety gear (or bring your own skates and pay only R80).

FIND THEM @:

rollercade.co.za

FOLLOW THEM:

@rollercadeza (Instagram)

THE LIVINGROOM JOZI

WHERE: 5th Floor, Main Change Building, 20 Kruger Street, Maboneng Precinct 

WHY: What’s better than sitting in a premium restaurant sipping drinks with

loved ones on a Saturday afternoon? Probably doing all of that, but on a rooftop overlooking Jozi. This eco-urban venue is a blend of nature and the city, and has amazing open-air spaces. They have a menu built for foodies, and also offer

catering suited to your taste. Their main shtick is hosting private parties and events, and setting the perfect scene for weddings and engagements. 

FOLLOW THEM:

@livingroom.jozi (Instagram)

THE LANDMARK COCKTAIL BAR

WHERE: Bryanston Shopping Centre, corner of Ballyclare Drive and William Nicol Road

WHY: If Joburg was a cocktail, ever wondered what it would taste like? Probably not, but the Landmark has answered that question for us anyway with a whole list of beverages that pay homage to some of the city’s most interesting landmarks. With an atmosphere and decor set to capture the City of Gold in its best light, this is one pre-drinks venue that you have to hit before your night out.

FOLLOW THEM:

The Landmark Cocktail Bar (Facebook)

@Thelandmarkcocktailbar (Instagram)

TIMES SQUARE

WHERE: 295 Florida Road, Morningside

WHY: Inspired by Times Square in New York, this elegant and vibrant bar-restaurant boasts American-style street food, scrumptiously stacked burgers, craft beers, gin on tap and a variety of cocktails. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, they also cater for private events, with designated areas for exclusive functions – giving you that ‘high-life’ feeling of being in the Big Apple. The menu caters to all tastes, from serious carnivores to salad fanatics.

FOLLOW THEM:

@timessquaredbn (Instagram)

CIRCUS CIRCUS CAFÉ

WHERE: Shop 1, Snell Parade, Bay of Plenty

WHY: With a homey atmosphere and fresh sea breeze, this cafe stands out for its artsiness and colourful layout of chairs and tables. While there are four branches (including Amanzimtoti, Umhlanga and Musgrave Centre), the Circus Circus Beach Café is perfect for those looking for a mini seaside escape  with friends and family. The menu is full of feel-good, comfort food in a variety of styles, from Italian to Asian to lekker flame-grill. Or perhaps you’re in the mood for a quick cappuccino? If you’re looking to save a few bucks while also having a good time, the cafes have a promotional Tuesday, when burgers and pasta are half price (excluding certain meals). Thanks to the aesthetic decor, mood lighting and gorgeous plating, a meal here is definitely Pinterest/Tumblr-girl worthy. 

FIND THEM @:

circuscircus.co.za

FOLLOW THEM:

@circuscircuscafe (Instagram)

Words by Saadiqah Schroeder
Photography: Courtesy Images 

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When renovating a home, you need to consider both the present and future. While the changes should enhance your joy as an owner, they should also increase the value of your house – and you’ll cash in when you sell. We called in the experts for advice on the dos and don’ts to help you profit now, and later. 

It’s That Open Living 

Journalist for Rawson Property Developers Tim Cartwright says that opening up living areas has become increasingly popular in the housing market as space is limited. Knocking down intervening walls between the living and dining room, as well as the kitchen, will make your home even more attractive to buyers further down the line. It also offers a living situation more conducive to quality time with loved ones. ‘This means that the person cooking the meal can still be in contact with family,’ says Tim. 

A Green Footprint

Renovations are a great time to reduce your home’s carbon footprint, and the easiest way to do this is by choosing wisely when it comes to raw materials. Home buyers of the future are likely to place a premium on environmentally friendly finishes, so it’s a win-win. When it comes to a kitchen overhaul, co-owner of Pillay Properties Gona Pillay recommends bamboo cabinetry. It’s a durable and highly sustainable resource that grows and matures in only seven years, whereas trees take exponentially longer. Your bathroom is another area in which it makes sense to go green. According to Hedi Lampert Kemper, media manager of Greeff Properties real estate agency, a trend that is proving popular among buyers is that of water-saving apparatuses such as dual-flush toilets and eco-smart showers, which restricts water flow by pumping air through the shower rose to maintain pressure. Both of these also help lighten your water bill. 

Comfort, Convenience and Calmness 

Comfort, along with convenience, are the strongest motivators for redoing parts of a home, while changes that maximise these factors have great value for a potential seller too. ‘If you have to choose between a bath and shower, opt for the shower,’ says Gona, ‘as it better complements today’s fast-paced lifestyle.’ ‘Also consider painting walls in neutral colours for a calming effect,’ advises Tim. Keep in mind that the more neutral your colour scheme, the easier it will be for future buyers to envision their furniture in the space. Always opt for tiled floors as they’re easier to keep clean than carpets. ‘Good security systems are essential in SA today,’ says Tim. ‘The more you spend on security, the better for your family and home in the long run.’

Over-capitalising, Under Utilising  

‘Avoid over-capitalising on property,’ advises Jonathan Acutts, managing director of Acutts Estate Agents. This means that you’re spending more on upgrading your home with various additions in order to add to its value. ‘In this scenario, you either sell the house for less than what you paid for it, or it sits on the market for a long time and doesn’t attract buyers,’ explains Jonathan. ‘You over-capitalise by adding expensive but unnecessary features such as stone cladding and water features.’ 

You Can’t Buy Style  

‘Some things cost a lot of money, but are not always in good taste,’ says Tim. You’ll give your property wider appeal and, consequently, more market value if you avoid them. ‘Grandiose finishes tend to reduce value. The simpler, the better.’ For example, don’t get doric or corinthian columns when renovating a cape cottage. ‘You would just want a simple column.’

Words by Warren Glam
Photography: Unsplash 

The post How To Do A Quick Home Renovation appeared first on TFG Media.

INGREDIENTS

350 g green-skinned pumpkin, peeled and cut into 1 cm cubes
¼ cup vegetable oil
4 large portobello mushrooms, stalks removed
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 tbsp dried oregano
1 tsp dried thyme
1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
100 g feta, crumbled
¼ cup grated white cheddar
80 g rocket leaves
1 tbsp fresh oregano leaves
Balsamic glaze (optional)

METHOD

1. Preheat the oven to 220°C.
2. Toss the pumpkin, with half the oil in a large bowl and season. Transfer to a large oven tray and roast for 25 minutes or until the pumpkin is tender.
3. Meanwhile, place the mushrooms on a large greased oven tray. Combine garlic, herbs and remaining oil in a small bowl. Spoon the herb oil inside each mushroom cap. Season and roast for the final 10 minutes of the pumpkin cooking time.
4. Fry the bell pepper in a drizzle of oil until softened. Combine pepper, feta and roasted pumpkin in a medium bowl. Spoon pumpkin mixture into mushroom caps and generously sprinkle over the Cheddar cheese. Roast the mushrooms for another 10 minutes or until heated through and the cheese is golden.
5. Serve mushrooms with rocket, fresh oregano and drizzle with the balsamic glaze, if using. 

Enjoy a sensational summer sunset with these delicious finger food recipes

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SERVES 10–12 // PREP TIME 45 min // COOK TIME 1 hr

INGREDIENTS
3 cups white wine 
2 cups caster sugar 
3 cups water
Juice of 1 orange 
Juice of  lemon 
5 peaches, 4 scored and 1 sliced 
12 gelatine leaves
15 strawberries, halved
2 Madeira loaves, sliced
 cup brandy 
1  cups cream cheese 
4 tbsp icing sugar
1 tsp vanilla essence 
2 cups whipped cream 
1 cup strawberries, sliced 
 cup flaked almonds, toasted

METHOD
1. Make jelly by combining the wine, sugar, water, and orange and lemon juice in a pot over medium heat.
2. Bring to a simmer and stir until the sugar has dissolved.
3. Add the scored peaches and poach for 15 minutes.
4. Remove the peaches and whisk the gelatine into the poaching liquid until dissolved. Strain and refrigerate for 1 hour.
5. Pour half of the jelly into the bottom of your trifle dish. Keep the rest at room temperature.
6. Peel and slice the cooled peaches and add half of them, along with half of the strawberries, to the jelly in the trifle bowl. Refrigerate until set.
7. Arrange the Madeira slices in an even layer on top of the jelly and brush with 20 ml of the brandy.
8. Whip the cream cheese, icing sugar, vanilla essence and the remaining brandy together, until smooth and fluffy. Fold through the whipped cream.
9. Spread half of the cream mixture in an even layer on top of the Madeira layer and refrigerate for 15 minutes.
10. Pour the remaining jelly on top of the cream layer, and add the other half of the poached peaches and sliced strawberries. Refrigerate until fully set.
11. Serve the trifle topped with extra whipped cream and decorated with peach slices, strawberries and almonds.

Tip: Making your own jelly can be so rewarding, but if you are in a rush, feel free to use any of your favourite jelly packets in this dish. Using tinned peaches is also a great way to speed up the process, but without compromising on flavour.

There’s no better way to indulge in summertime than by sharing a fresh, seasonal fruit platter with friends and family after a meal!

The post How to make a summer fruit trifle appeared first on TFG Media.

A MEDICINAL PAST

During the Renaissance, cordials were brewed up by Italian apothecaries, who  prescribed them to ‘revive the spirit’ and cure a number of physical ailments. These medicinal concoctions – which contained herbs and spices steeped in an alcohol base– were a far cry from the sweet cordials we know today. Next, fast-forward to the 19th century: Scottish shipbuilder Lauchlin Rose was in the process of establishing a side business providing vital supplies to passing ships. One of the items he dealt in was lime juice. Back then, they’d worked out that eating citrus fruit was essential for preventing scurvy on long voyages when sailors didn’t get enough fresh fruit and vegetables. Infact, The Merchant Shipping Amendment Act of 1867 made it compulsory for British ships to carry lime juice, in an effort to prevent malnourished sailors getting sick.

LOCAL FLAVOUR

At home, South African producers have begun to catch on to the charms of this old-fashioned drink, creating infusions of fruit with indigenous herbs such as buchu and rose pelargonium. You can recreate this unique flavour profile with dried leaves from your own garden, or get hold of a pure herbal tea. It may seem like a daunting endeavour to the average cook, but making a cordial is in fact a pretty straightforward process of brewing a sugary base of simple syrup and adding fruits, flowers or herbs (besides lime and lemon, elderflower, lemon grass and ginger are popular), and allowing the syrup to take on the flavour. Keep a bottle of it on hand in the fridge: Sunburnt kids and dinner-party guests alike are sure to appreciate it.

BASIC LEMON CORDIAL RECIPE

Makes 1 L

INGREDIENTS
1.2 L boiling water
6 lemons (zest of 3, juice of 6)
900 g sugar
60 ml citric acid

METHOD
1. Place the boiling water, lemon zest and lemon juice in a pot. Warm over low heat, but do not boil. Add the sugar and stir until fully dissolved, then add the citric acid.
2.  Remove the syrup from the heat, strain through a sieve and then leave to cool.
3. Pour the syrup into sterilised jars. Seal and store in the fridge for up to 3 weeks.
4. To serve, pour a small amount of cordial into a tall glass and top up with soda water. (To make it alcoholic, add a shot of gin or vodka before the soda.)
5. To garnish, add a slice of lemon and a sprig of rosemary for a herbaceous kick.

Tip: You can substitute the lemon with grated fresh ginger, granadilla pulp orpureed raspberries.

Words by Emma-Follet Botha | Photography

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1. BACON ON DEMAND
Bacon in the microwave? It seems so wrong, but it really does work! It’s perfect for when you want a few rashers of bacon, but don’t want to dig out the frying pan. Sandwich uncooked bacon between two sheets of paper towel and put on a plate. Nuke it on high power for a few minutes. And bonus! The paper towel absorbs the fat, so no nasty splatter everywhere.

2. CHIPS!
Make your own potato crisps by placing thin slices of potato on a plate. Microwave for 3 minutes, flip over and microwave for another 3 minutes. Sprinkle with salt

3. GAME OF CORNS
Remove the husk and wrap your mielie in a damp piece of paper towel. Microwave for 3 minutes, then start munching.

4. EGGY EGG EGG
Beat together 2 eggs, some milk, a sprinkle of grated cheese and seasoning. Microwave for 2 minutes, and brekkie is served.

5. WHO’S CRYING?
Cut the ends from your onions, then microwave the onions for 30 seconds. This will release that tear-causing gas so you can chop away pain-free.

Words by:  Staff writer
Photography: Pexels

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