Ideas March/April 2022

CONTACT ME • terena@ideasfactory.co.za • instagram.com/terenaleroux I do my best thinking at night. Or sometimes when I am lying awake in the early hours of the morning. And it was while I was lying there wondering what we could do with our March/April issue that it occurred to me that this was a birthday edition. Perhaps even a significant birthday. But that couldn’t be right. It felt as if it was just yesterday that we saw our pink-outlined swans proudly on display in store again. I counted the years twice on my fingers. We are indeed five! It’s champagne-and-presents time! Which started me thinking deeply about gifts. Sometimes we receive one without even realising it. The difficult relationships that teach us to be more patient, or the work that we really don’t enjoy that…

💮 NEW SHOPS, DÉCOR AND CRAFT dala@ideasfactory.co.za 💮 FOOD AND RESTAURANTS ideasmagazinefood@gmail.com NEROLI LUXURY The 30th birthday of the iconic French dry oil NUXE is being celebrated with Huile Prodigieuse Néroli (R595), the first certified organic product in this botanical range of oils. The lovely scent is addictive and soothes the senses with notes of neroli (Seville orange blossom oil), bergamot and lavandin (in the lavender family). It also contains plum and organic sesame oil for a satin-smooth sensation on the skin. Use it on your face, body and hair. SEASON’S BOUNTY The season for juicy, delicious plums, peaches and nectarines is here, so be sure to get your share of nature’s ultra-versatile summer bounty that packs a nutritious punch. Stone fruits are at their most satisfying when enjoyed perfectly ripe. Test for optimal ripeness…

‘It was when I saw this view,’ says homeowner Francois Irvine, ‘that I knew I wanted to be in this space.’ He is opening a pair of white-painted industrial doors, dealing with old-fashioned full-length bolts – but these slide back with ease and in a moment the vista is revealed. His words immediately make perfect sense. The outlook is very much an urban one, but, like many in central Cape Town, also includes seductive slivers of the beautiful natural landscape. The view includes Kloof Nek, just to the right of the iconic Table Mountain, as well as part of Signal Hill, against the slopes of which lies the famous landmark area of the Bo-Kaap, where this home is located. All the signature elements of this lively, historically important part of Cape…

TIP: If you want clean straight lines when using masking tape as a guide while you paint, remember to remove the tape while the paint is still wet. If you remove it when the paint is dry it will take some of the paint with it and leave a ragged edge. TEAPOT FROM MRP HOME. CRATE FROM ABODE. PAINT COLOUR: DULUX BRIGHT SKIES. LIGHT AND CLOCK FROM MRP HOME. PAINT COLOUR: DULUX WILTON BLUE. FLOWER VASE FROM ABODE. PAINT COLOUR: DULUX ARBOR ROSE.…

BISCUIT CAKE This cake ticks all the boxes – rich buttery flavour, sweet icing, tangy fruit, creamy and crunchy textures, plus it is beautifully suited for any occasion. ALMOND BISCUIT ♥ 150g butter♥ 150g castor sugar♥ 1 large egg♥ 5ml almond or vanilla extract (or 10ml vanilla essence)♥ 150g flour♥ 250g almond flour♥ 5ml baking powder CREAM CHEESE ICING ♥ 50g soft butter♥ 150g full fat cream cheese (brick)♥ 400g sifted icing sugar, plus extra for dusting♥ gel food colouring of your choice TO DECORATE ♥ small meringues, fresh raspberries, edible flowers and gold leaf 1 Print or draw an A4-size number and cut it out to use as your template. The number mustn’t be too narrow. 2 Biscuit: Cream the butter and sugar together well. Add the egg and extract, beating well after adding. Add the flours and…