DJ OffBeat proposes The Shirelles – Baby It’s You. Oh yes indeed.
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Aspasia

This month we are loving Turkey! In our February issue our copy editor, Jessica Oliver leapt aboard a luxury yacht to sail along Turkey’s lovely south-west coast. Go here for more information on booking this cruise.

To wet your appetite for everything Turkey has to offer, here are some colourful pictures of Istanbul and its people, taken by amateur photographer, David du Toit. So beautiful! For more Food & Travel articles go here.

We did not say that all these love tracks would have a happy outcome! This is Sharon Becker’s (our Fashion Director) favourite “love” du jour. Gotye featuring Kimbra (we delight in that girl) objectively looking at a spot of heartbreak.
(Send us your songs oh readers of Marie Claire)
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Aspasia

Driving through the gorgeous leafy surrounds of Tokai, we instantly felt miles away from the rush of Cape Town’s CBD. It was somewhat calming. As was the welcoming exterior of Societi Brasserie as we parked outside. Inside, the restaurant feels fresh, light and airy, with an unpretentious charm; the laid-back ambience matching its lush surroundings. The French-inspired décor is homely and inviting, as are the wonderful staff, and we sat at a table with a view of the walled garden where customers can enjoy al fresco dining beneath umbrellas.

On this particularly hot day we chose the safety of indoors, but I imagine an evening under the stars must be simply enchanting. Behind us was a long bar – a fabulous addition for those enjoying a pre-meal drink or waiting on a table (the place has been packed to the rafters every night since its opening late last year). And for a real treat, diners can book to sit at the chef’s table overlooking the kitchen and watch as their meals are prepared before their very eyes.

We sat down and, savouring every sip of our ice-cold Pongracz rose, we studied the menu until we at last came to a decision. Head chef Stefan Marais’s philosophy is that food should be fresh and simply prepared. ‘Find the best produce you can, and let the flavours speak for themselves,’ he says. Retaining the ethos of Societi Bistro, seasonal products are locally sourced and much emphasis is placed on small local artisanal producers.

For starters we shared a delectable prawn cocktail and, my personal favourite, an out-of-this-world summer salad of luscious watermelon and goat’s cheese with a mint-vodka dressing. Then came our mains: a gorgeous mushroom risotto with parmesan, and the Jack Black battered fish with golden, crispy chips and mushy peas. Stefan insisted we try his Chocolate Nemesis and sinful Double Marscapone Cheesecake for dessert. And I don’t resent him for forcing it on us. It was simply to die for – sweet, soft and satisfyingly rich – as was the dessert wine that accompanied it.

The whole experience was fantastic, and I have already planned my next meal there. The idyllic setting, the warming décor and ambience, the exquisite yet simple and fresh cuisine and friendly staff, all contribute to the perfect meal out. It’s a home away from home.

– Jessica Oliver

Shop 1 Forest Glade House, Tokai Road, Constantia, Cape Town, 021-712-1363, Societi.co.za
Opening times: breakfast, lunch and dinner: Mondays to Saturdays 9am – 10pm.

If we look at the way in which child models are being photographed today vs. how they were being shot back in the ’80s, the photographs are both made to look very sexy. The only difference is that in this day and age, the child models are becoming increasingly younger and younger. French child model, Thylane Blondeau (below), started modelling at age 4, Cindy Crawford’s daughter, Kaia Gerber just landed her first contract at 10-years-old, Lottie Moss, Kate’s 13-year-old half-sister also recently bagged a modelling contract.

2011, Thylane Blondeau, age 9

1980, Brooke Shields, age 15

Why the need to use children in this way? Isn’t the term ‘child model’ supposed to mean, ‘children who model as children, wearing children’s clothing’? There is an increasing need to portray children as adults, sexualising them before they even hit puberty.  I hate it. Seeing a little girl pose provocatively is just something unnecessary, which children should not be exposed to at such a young age. I think it’s fine for children to model cute children’s clothes, but when they start modelling topless, donning high heels and start to be featured in makeup or lingerie campaigns, I have I problem.

Take a look at this very insightful video by The Daily Beast. 

So it is the month of loooove, and whilst we could get jaded, bemused and not a little irritated by the abundance of awful red stuff proliferating in shop windows and till counters near us, we are going to resist the urge to gag. And what’s more we are going to have a little love fest of our own. Yes we are and here is how…I am going to post my favourite love tracks – 1 per day – and you dear Marie Clairvoyants are going to help me. Send me your best loved love songs and after a judicious consultation with the love panel here in the JHB office, and daily phone calls to the Cape Town branch of the amorous song committee we will post the day’s winning song.

To kick things off I give you VCR by The XX. Because… well for obvious reasons.
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Aspasia

Ever wondered what was going down in Cape Town in the swinging sixties? Billy Monk captured party-goers at their craziest in the Mother City’s nightclubs. Check out our February issue for more fantastic photos (page 40).

In our February issue we look at a new phenomena. Our article, ‘All the single ladies’ looks at whether there has been a shift, from traditional marriage as society’s highest ideal to something which many women are now finding less important. The article basically begs the question: Do we still want to put a ring on it?

What I find really interesting is the change of focus in advertising. Ads are now much more aimed at single women as supposed to married women (think ’50s). These two ads show particularly how women are now starting to regard marriage as secondary to other things they still want to achieve by themselves.

You are only one person, you cannot do everything, but you’re one person – you can do something! Come and join Greenpop and volunteers from across the globe to plant 5000 trees in one of the most deforested parts of the world and see how your small step leads the way for a Treevolution. Trees for Zambia is an exciting reforestation project running from 1 July to 22 July 2012. Volunteers from all walks of life will have the opportunity to work and play next to the mighty Victoria Falls and help to plant trees, educate children about conservation and learn about environmental issues through various workshops.

Zambia has the second highest per capita deforestation rate in the world. The forestry Department in Livingstone states the rate of deforestation as 5% annually and this has a great influence on the vulnerability of local communities with knock-on effects such as reduced agricultural production, threats to food security, increased incidence of drought and flooding, loss of wildlife, and reduced fresh water availability. The two main reasons for deforestation in this area is tree cutting for timber and charcoal, as well as poor soil management.

Greenpop is heading north with a clear mission to address this and your role as a volunteer will be vital in helping them to: Develop a culture of planting trees within communities; educate children on their natural environment; promote conservation farming methods in the local communities; help to start a micro tree nursery to provide farmers with an additional income; and create an exciting and stimulating program of practical work, lectures and workshops.

Apart from planting over 5000 trees and helping to preserve Zambia’s fragile biodiversity, volunteers can experience highlights ranging from the opening and closing celebrations with local entertainment and a stay on the banks of the Maramba river, to exciting activities in the Livingstone area such as white water rafting, lion walking and elephant back safaris.

Limited space is available and interested volunteers can visit the Greenpop website or email Zambia@greenpop.org. But whether in Livingstone, Cape Town or the Karoo, may you be inspired to take a small step every day to join in this journey, for “the best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago; the next best time is now!”

For more information visit www.greenpop.org

Of all the blogs on the internet, and there are a lot, the ones that surprised us most were Harper Beckham and Suri Cruise‘s fashion blogs. Even though she can’t even walk yet, the fourth edition to the Beckham clan already has a blog dedicated to her social outings and most talked about outfits.

Similarly, Tom and Katie’s toddler also occupies quite a bit of cyberspace with her blogs. Yes BLOGS, plural! There are two dedicated to her love of fashion, Suri Cruise Fashion Blog and Suri Cruise’s Closet Blog. The blog which attracting the most attention is a parody blog titled Suri’s Burn Book – based on the “Burn Book” in the film Mean Girls. Both blogs offer help to other junior fashionistas by telling them where they can go to get some prematurely fab outfits.

Michelle van der Spuy, Cape Town intern