One year on

Sharona and I have something to celebrate today. A year ago we took possession of the flat and what an adventure it has been.

A year ago... to now.

Anyway, needless to say it looks like a real home now.

We celebrated our year together by going out to Paarl for lunch at Spice Route.
I will leave Sharona to write review in the near future.

Alright, fine, here is our lunch. It was amazing!

Here's to more adventures of Sharona and the Squire.

A Hipster Otter?

Happy Monday Dear Readers!

The Moustache Maketh The Man...

This Movember Campaign is a few years old, but soooo clever!

Enjoy... and go get your "stuff" check gentleman ;)

 

http://mosmakeadifference.com/

 

 

Cape Town Festival of Beer

Reblogged from http://capetownfestivalofbeer.co.za/

CAPE TOWN FESTIVAL OF BEER RETURNS FOR IT’S FOURTH YEAR
Cape Town Festival of Beer, the largest festival of beer in the Southern Hemisphere, is around the corner again! The Festival is set for the 22rd, 23th and 24th of November at Hamilton’s Rugby Club in Green Point, Cape Town (next to the V & A Waterfront). This year’s event is bringing even more beer to the table than ever before.

Cape Town Festival of Beer is a celebration of brewing heritage and craft both locally and from around the world. Featuring over 200 beers; this is the premier celebration of all things beer and will prove to be the biggest yet.

The Festival is South Africa’s largest annual gathering of beer enthusiasts, connoisseurs and those just wanting to learn more about beer. The weekend promises great entertainment including a variety of brewers, food stalls, music, live rugby and is a highlight on the Cape Town social calendar.

Expect over 60 breweries - both international and local - with limited edition beers brewed just for the Festival. Also, learn more about the appreciation of artisanal beer and perfect food choices to pair with each brew.

This year the Cape Town Festival of Beer will be bringing you guided beer tours with experts to ensure you get the most out of your experience. Let your guide take you around while you meet the brewers and sample a variety of beers, watch home brewing demonstrations and participate in blind tastings. And if that’s not enough there will also be a beer judging competition, beer merchandise for sale, lucky draws, raffles and the worlds biggest game of Beer Pong.

Rugby fans, don’t miss out on any action and watch the rugby live on the Saturday on big screens at the Festival! Tables can be booked at info@capetownfestivalofbeer.co.za

The Squire Philosophies... by French Connection

The Squire. To a T.

The campaign is a few years old, the sentiments... timeless.

 

 

Moustache Eyecandy...

Maybe because my dad has ALWAYS had a moustache... and Squire has followed suit, I find facial hair on a man to be almost a deal breaker. I like a manly man.

Came across this handsome specimen while looking for Gatsby party inspiration... **swoon**

Is that a ukelele?

Gentle musical interlude... to help you ease into the weekend :)

Eddie Vedder is worth exploring, I've been listening to this particualr album for ages....

The style that suits

Style is a big factor in picking a suit. There are too many factors that go into style but let’s go through the basics.

There are three major cuts of suit; The Italian cut, The English cut, and the American cut.

The Italian:

This is the strongest of the cuts. Well padded shoulders, a defined tapering to the waist by the use of darts back and front, well-constructed chest pieces and narrow fit of pants. All these create a somewhat dramatic and characteristic inverted triangle shape, even if your build is not vaguely similar to this. The jackets originally had no vents but in recent times double vents have been added.

The drawback is that one tends to look top-heavy and the effect can be overdone. This said it is the trendiest of the three.

The English:

This is a medium cut. There is structure provided by some padding in the shoulders, a minor taper to the waist and strong chest pieces to hold the structure in front of the shoulder. This provides for a fitted look that is not overwhelming. The lapels tend to be narrower than those on the Italian cut, which lends to a slimming look. The jacket is double-vented to compensate for the closer fit. This is my favoured suit.

The drawback is that if it is not fitted properly it will have creases and pulls which make the wearer appear to be slovenly dressed.

The American:

The cut with the least definition, thus nicknamed the sack suit. They rose in popularity in the 1920’s with Ivy League graduates and therefore found their way into the rest of America.

Now, I do not wish to deride the Americans but this is very simple suit. The lines are straight up and down, there is little padding in the shoulders. The lapels are wider than the English but narrower than the Italian and often no taper in the fit. The jackets are also single-vented. All this results in a boxy silhouette. 

The drawback is that one cannot look as clean-cut in this cut as the other two options. Over the years these suits have become more tailored, making them more stylish, but they remain built for comfort.     

There is always a style to suit, depending on one’s build and how on wishes to present oneself.   

The Wide World Of Beer

As we approached our second Paine Kids Hosted Beer tasting... we're starting to wonder about the "Beer Family Tree" - both the Squire and I have been made far more aware of beer - the huge variety and our preferences.

 

I realise that I still haven't done the promised "feedback" from our tasting in June! I swear you'll get feedback from both by mid October!

 

Have a look at the infograph below and read my post on Ale vs Lager.

 

 

ALE vs LAGER

Did you even know that there was a "Dummies" website? I've lifted this word for word from their site.

The Differences between Ales and Lagers

By Marty Nachel and Steve Ettlinger from Beer For Dummies, 2nd Edition

All beers are made as ales or lagers; ale and lager are the two main branches (classifications) of the beer family tree and are closely related branches at that. Ales are the older, distinguished, traditional brews of the world, predating lagers by thousands of years, whereas lagers are a relatively modern creation, less than 200 years old.

Yeast makes the beer

The branch of the beer family tree — ale or lager — corresponds to the type of yeast used to ferment the beer. You have ale yeast and lager yeast, and these types of yeast, in turn, typically dictate the temperature at which the beer is fermented. Ales are traditionally fermented at warmer temperatures (55 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit, 12 to 21 degrees Celsius), while lagers are typically fermented at cooler temperatures (38 to 50 degrees Fahrenheit, 3 to 10 degrees Celsius).
The cooler fermentation and aging temperatures used with lager yeast slow down the yeast activity and require a longer maturation time. The cold environment inhibits the production of fruity aromas (called esters) and other fermentation byproducts common in ales. This process creates the lager’s cleaner taste. Long aging (or lagering) also acts to mellow the beer.

You can taste the difference, sometimes

Every beer beginner wants to know how ales taste different from lagers. If only it were that easy! This question is sort of like asking how red wines taste different from white wines.

Ironically, you can find beer styles called red beer and white beer, but that’s another story altogether, and you can be sure that it doesn’t involve grape skins.

Ales share many common characteristics, and so do lagers, but the two groups overlap so much that any absolutes about either class are usually wrong. This overlap creates some confusion and the need for experts to explain the different characteristics, but it also creates the need for beer exploration.

You can say that ales generally

• Include more robust-tasting beers
• Tend to be fruity and aromatic
• Include more bitter beers
• Have a pronounced, complex taste and aroma
• Are enjoyed warmer (45 to 55 degrees Fahrenheit, 7 to 12 degrees Celsius)

And you can say that lagers generally

• Include lighter-tasting beers
• Tend to be highly carbonated or crisp
• Tend to be smooth and mellow
• Have a subtle, clean, balanced taste and aroma
• Are served fairly cool (38 to 45 degrees Fahrenheit, 3 to 7 degrees Celsius)

If someone says, “I don’t like ales,” or “lagers give me headaches,” respond by saying that simply too much variety exists for that kind of distinction to hold water (or beer, for that matter). Beer exploration is called for!

Monday beers

Wonderful day out with Sharona today.
Had two good beers.

First was CBC Amber Weiss. Good clean and full of flavour. They do Cape Town proud with this beer.

The second was the Paulana Weiß Bier. One of my favorites, a classic German import. The hops are not overwhelming and leaves it full of flavour.

My verdict on the two: CBC wins for a cleaner taste (plus it's local). Here is to the craft!

Bastille... Obviously We're Going...

It’s The Squire’s birthday on the 2^nd of January, so imagine my delight when I read that Bastille would be performing in Cape Town on the 8^th of January! What impeccable timing! I snatched up two tickets and left my poor abused credit card panting – not that the R395 is steep, rather that I spend a little too liberally in general. I am now #1 sister in the entire world… I’ll be polishing that brownie badge for a while.

As you know, The Paine Kids are OBSESSED with Bastille, I’m listening to Bastille as I type, we sing to each other, quote lyrics as conversation… yes, I’m so lucky to be related to my best friend. I get to live with him too… I know how long he preens that ‘tache.

Back to the concert – they are performing at Kirstenbosch. What bliss! Vino, snacks, sun setting in the background…. I can’t wait! Squire can’t wait!

What more can I say? Only 4 months to go?

 

Stuffed Animals

This post is dedicated to a tall brunette with a fetish for my humour. Christa, baby… this is for you ;)

Last weekend I went to the museum. I LOVE the museum. In Cape Town we have one BIG one with all the nature vibes. This is the museum to which I refer.

I love the whale section, the dinosaur section and the mammal section. If they ever re-opened the insect display, I’d love that too. Now, wonderfully and unbeknownst to me, an incredible man named Peter Flack – a writer and hunter – donated what seems to be his ENTIRE taxidermy collection to the museum.

These specimens are exquisite. Their pelts shine in comparison with the tired models that have stood frozen since what I can only assume is the 1930s. Leopards stand frozen, mid leap, glass eyes glistening. A buck and hyena are caught in a moment of battle that can only make you wonder who has the upper hand – the hyena seems to have his teeth inches from the buck’s throat, but what’s this, look at the horn poised to impale the hyena! A rare jungle elephant stands proud, and you can see the fine hairs on his skin – rumoured to be the only stuffed specimen of this species.

How did I get so passionate about good taxidermy? I’ve considered this all week, from about the time that Christa looked at me and declared that I needed to put this all in a blog post. Is it strange that my eyes sparkle when I talk about taxidermy?

I remember reading a book when I was younger, much younger, called “A Wheelie to Friendship” by Jenny Bow. The Krugerrands were inside the stuffed cats all along… yes! I know, AMAZING.

Later I read the novel, “The Conjuror’s Bird” by Martin Davies, about the search for the only stuffed specimen of a rare bird. They described some of the taxidermy technique… riveting stuff!

Then again, maybe I’m just morbid?

More on the Peter Flack donation:
http://www.peterflack.co.za/trophyRoom/trophyRoom.html
http://iziko.org.za/static/landing/statement-peter-flack-collection-donation

Bleddy Hipster

Started my day with the best latte in Cape Town – at Truth. Truth, for the foreign and/or uninformed, is a very hipster coffee spot, around the corner from my office in the CBD. Seriously – imagine coffee at the perfect temperature to drink NOW. Another favourite in that hood is Field Office – great latte too, but needs a single sweetener, you don’t need to sweeten Truth coffee, it’s perfect and claims so right on the cup. Both spots don’t bat an eyelid at my order of a Skinny Latte.

 Wi-Fi – like duh, obviously I log right on to their network the moment I snap my laptop open.

This brings me to the coffee shop in which I am currently sat. I’m waiting for my car engine to be steam cleaned – yes… I feel like I’ve dropped my car off at the oral hygienist. I walked in, tossed my perfect fringe, asked “Do you have Wi-Fi?” and nodded to “Table for one” – apparently Wi-Fi is not a foreign concept here, but it doesn’t work.

I decided not to assume anything at this place… asked “do you have fat free milk?” – Again, no - At least they had a table and canderel… so here I sit, for the next hour, writing posts to be posted later. Yes, I knoooow, how pedestrian.  *rolls eyes*

I just remembered that I haven’t even had my lunch… don’t suppose they would appreciate me asking them to re-heat my artisan chicken soup? It’s in a glass jar and all…. Ok, ok, I’ll stop. I made the soup. I put it in a jar. I put soup in jars because I don’t like the taste of plastic leaking into my soup.

 I should also tell you, I’m wearing purple skinny jeans, a denim shirt, a snood….

And a pretentious smile.

*big wink*

xoxox

 

 

 

Considering beers

Beer is an acquired taste. I acquired the taste for beer just over 3 years ago.

In the past year I have refined this taste to craft beer. I have my friend Marco to thank for that.

My favorites? Well I have a few;

IPA: Imperial Tequila Ale, which is sold in 660ml bottles and has been matured in barrels used to age tequila. It has a light ale flavour and distinct tequila aftertaste.

Kings Blockhouse: A local IPA, easy on the taste buds with a mildly fruity aftertaste.  I would rate this as a good "every day" beer and like to take it to social events. Sold in 500ml bottles. Available on tap at Van Hunks on Kloof street.

Paulaner  Wießbier Kristallklar: One of the best Wießbier I have ever had. Clean and strong with medium hops. I keeper indeed.

Keizer Karel Charles Quint: A blonde beer. Wonderful taste and very easy drinking. Not easy to find, I think the bottle I sampled was ordered especially for the beer tasting Sharona and I held.

So, I like beer. In moderation of course, otherwise you won't enjoy it.

Get Your Vintage On

I discovered a great website with free vintage images.

http://olddesignshop.com/gallery/book-pages/

I'm keen to frame a few for the flat... now to choose.

The last one isn't from the site, but rather a random google image.

Mustache of the year.

Today my mustache is a year old. No blade has touched my lip in 12 months. I am very proud of it, as I am sure most would realise.

It has been a long journey but I have enjoyed it. Let's see where it takes us.

What suits me best?

Every man should have a suit. A plain and simple statement that may get people debating that suits are not mandatory in our modern lives. I tend to disagree.

I foolishly bought my first suit when I was 19. Foolish you say? I had not finished growing and the pants only fit properly for about 2 years, the jacket is still serviceable but tight over the shoulders. Never the less, that suit was worn on a good number of occasions, including a wedding and a formal 21^st party.

When I bought that suit I learned some basic lessons on fit and so on. A suit needs to fit properly. I have no interest in how much you paid for it, if your R20 000 suit does not fit well you have wasted your money. A R500 suit that is fitted properly can look better than a R5 000 suit which is too big or small.

One way to look at it is that a suit is like armour, social armour if you like. When it fits properly and is in a style that is appropriate to your build then you are filled with confidence.  

I will not go into details over style and fit now, I can discuss that later, but my point is that the suit is not dead. Just ask Harvey Specter.

On time

When I consider time, I think about watches. I have a particular affinity to watches, especially pocket watches. I suspect it has something to do with my father. As long as I could remember my father seemed to be tinkering with watches, servicing and repairing. I never understood why he liked to tinker in this way until purchased a pocket watch for myself and asked him about the mechanism.

He very kindly found his old tools and gave me a tutorial on the servicing of a mechanical watch. Jewelled movements, balance wheels, crowns and barrel springs; these fascinating things were suddenly explained to me. It is just so elegantly designed and crafted. Once I had finished the job and wound the mechanism I had the joy of hearing the quiet, urgent tick of the serviced watch.

I have purchased two more vintage and antique pocket watches since. The detail and care that went into even an ordinary everyday watch from just 80 years ago is impressive. I love my watches, especially the sound of the ticking. I had grown so accustomed to the “double tick” of a mechanical watch that when I heard a quartz clock I thought it was broken since it only ticks once a second.

I would love to grow my collection, but some of the time pieces I have wanted are prohibitively expensive. I will need to build it up slowly then, perhaps acquiring an interesting watch once every 18 months or so. We will see where the future takes me.

This is one of mine, a lovely Elgin.

 Call me watch crazy, but I envy this collection.

Oblivion.

“Are you going to age with grace?
Are you going to age without mistakes?
Are you going to age with grace,
Or only to wake and hide your face?

When oblivion is calling out your name,
You always take it further than I ever can.”
                                                                                  Bastille – “Oblivion”

The idea for this post is slightly stolen from a comment that The Squire made to me the other day.

“Oblivion” is the name of a song by Bastille – we are obsessed with Bastille at the moment.

“Oblivion” is also the name of a wine bar near our flat. We have been going there for years. I have a lot of memories, some blurry and some deeply etched into my mind.

For a time, we were all too young to go there… the age restriction was 21 or 23. I just remember being asked to leave once. Once I came of age I wasted no time in losing face on the pole in the middle of the dance floor. I can’t resist a pole. There are long lost photos of me pole dancing with a umbrella at a staff function (I hope they are lost). It’s actually just really really fun, and does get attention. I have no upper-body strength (working on it now) so could never lift myself up on the pole, just wobble about at the bottom in a fairly attractive manner.

The pole, brings me to the story of the “Inappropriate Lunch”. I had noticed that Oblivion did a full Sunday roast, so I booked a table for our family lunch. We were celebrating my parent’s 30th Wedding Anniversary. Long story short, I need not have booked, we were the only people there. The roast was cancelled, we had to order pizza…. So much for my posh lunch?

I think our Twitter feed fills in the rest of the story (read from the bottom up):