Table of contents for April 2018 in True Love

I’ve always felt that fashion is a form of expression – it captures your mood, reflects how people perceive you, and makes a statement. In fact, looking back at our history, the regalia the brave women wore in 1956 when they marched to the Union Buildings against the Pass Laws – pleated skirts, ornate cardigans and berets – to the customised denim paired with midriff-bearing statement tees during the #feesmustfall movement, all demonstrate how political marches can turn into a unique Mzansi fashion phenomenon. We drew from these movements to put together eight pages of awe-inspiring fashion (page 62) to celebrate Freedom Month. As women, we’ve come a long way in making our voices heard, and actively participating when challenging the status quo – whether it’s the right to free…

Revamp your favourite denim, be creative – go for appliqué patches, diamantés, studs, buttons or hand-stitched embroidery. IT GIRLS THAT MAKE US WANT TO LIVE IN OUR JEANS OUR FAVOURITE STYLE INSIDERS CHAT ABOUT THEIR LATEST OBSESSION Jolene Roelofse Marketing & communications consultant at Bludoor Market “I'll always be a fan of boyfriend jeans, but distressed is also a fave because it's edgy yet casual.” Akhona Bafo PR officer: clothing & general merchandise at Woolworths “I'm in love with cropped distressed boyfriend jeans” Zimbini Peffer Marketing director at TFG “Ankle grazers are my every day#mood.” choose the best accessories…

Who is Nomalanga? I'm an actress, radio broadcaster, TV presenter and entertainer. I'm very passionate about the media business and all-things entertainment. What is the ultimate goal for your brand? Where do you see yourself in ten years? I see myself as a media mogul. I’d obviously love for my brand to grow in leaps and bounds, and to branch out into beauty, fashion, film and design. Besides social media, how else do you build your network? I still believe in the power of word of mouth and personal interaction. I try to keep good relations with people and brands because your reputation is everything in this industry. Which books or people have had an influence on your growth and success? I read a lot of Harry Potter, LOL! It…

NTHABISENG MARKS Age: 41 Occupation: Entrepreneur “I’m a single mom of three kids aged 21, 17 and four years old. I also have a three-month-old granddaughter. I work a 7h30 to 16h30 job, five days a week. After work I go home to cook, and then try to squeeze in at least 90 minutes of gym. I can’t remember the last time I pampered myself. I needed this makeover.” MAKE-UP “When Nthabiseng came to me, the first thing she mentioned was her pigmentation, something she’s been struggling with for years. I wanted to make her feel more at ease and show her techniques on how to conceal the marks. The texture of her skin is great because she works out. I wanted to make her look and feel glamorous. I…

THE SLEEK PONY When all else fails, a sleek pony is the best choice as it shows off your face structure. All you have to do to keep it neat is a brush and some gel here and there to fix those edges. CURLY COOL Who can tell how old Thembi Seete is? These curls make her look even younger. Don't have the time to maintain curly hair? Wigs save the day – get a cut that suits your face. EDGY PIXIE Why not try something different like Felicia Mabuza Suttle who's rocking a cheeky pixie haircut? It has an ageless attitude, and with the right tools and appropriate products, it's easy to maintain. DREADED DIVA Judith Sephuma always keeps it interesting with funky styles because dreadlocks are versatile. You…

Whether we’re asleep or awake (or somewhere in between on another Monday morning!), we spend all of our time with ourselves. So it’s easy to assume that we know that person – what she’s good at, what she’s not so good at – pretty well. But the truth is that we all have secret strengths that we may not be aware of or know how to manage effectively. “People often have no idea of their core essence and the natural character traits that emanate from this essential self,” says psychological coach Nick Jankel. “There’s a split between ‘who we’ve become’ (the way we behave day to day because of how we view ourselves). Sometimes the beliefs we have about ourselves stop us from flourishing, we assume there are things we…

It’s a scorching hot day at the scenic Green Leaves Country Lodge & Venue in Hartbeespoort. Precious Thamaga is busy setting up for an intimate wedding. With beautiful mountain views and lush greenery serving as the perfect backdrop, I get why Precious and the bride chose this venue. “The theme is ‘timeless and romantic’. I did a mock-up for the bride and she was happy. She knows exactly what she’s going to get on her big day. It’s an indoor wedding, which will happen at this chapel. The floors are covered in a red carpet, but we will put white flooring over it. Then the guests will see the spectacular views outside after the formal ceremony,” she tells me in-between the prep. Behind the scenes, there’s lots of activity: staff…

“Creating wealth isn’t easy, but gaining knowledge and making smart decisions around our money, leads to great outcomes.”Sylvia Walker – author and speaker Achieve financial FREEDOM Many indebted South Africans struggle to pay off interest on their debts, let alone the debt itself. Financial independence starts with a detailed plan, commitment and discipline. Financial planner Sylvia Walker gives us steps to financial freedom. FACE YOUR REALITY: Accept that you can only work with what you have – stop dreaming and spending as if you have much more money. DRAW UP A BUDGET: Ideally, you should be earning more than what you are spending, but if this is not the case; draw up a realistic budget that balances and stick to it. TACKLE SHORT-TERM DEBT: If you cannot afford to pay…

Choosing to be celibate until you get married or get into a serious relationship, can give you an opportunity to prepare yourself for the commitment of marriage. The discipline, patience, self-awareness, and focus required to live celibately can be a good thing. A 2010 study by an American university found that the longer a couple waited to have sex, the better their relationship became. Celibacy is loosely defined as a person voluntarily opting out of sexual activity. The person could be a virgin or might have had sex before, some even have children. You may ask why anyone who’s already had sex would want to give it up voluntarily. Joburg-based medical doctor, sexologist and clinical head of My Sexual Health Dr Elna Rudolph says, “It’s usually connected to a religious…

BEST OF BOTH Leading olive oil producer in SA, Willow Creek, has come up with a Mzansi first by combining their award-winning Willow Creek extra virgin olive oil and virgin coconut oil that’s sourced from Mozambique. It offers great taste, health and convenience in one blend. The product will stay in liquid form throughout winter and is ideal for all types of cooking. It retails from R149,99 at retailers and deli’s countrywide. EASTER DELICACY This Easter, there’ll be nothing better than returning from the traditional church service, pouring a cup of tea and sinking your teeth into a toasted spicy hot cross bun, made with currants, raisins and dripping with butter. They cost a bit more than the nursery rhyme’s “One a penny, two a penny, hot cross buns”, but…

I’ve had many opportunities to sample J'Something's treats, especially at his restaurant, Something’s Cooking in Menlyn, Pretoria. So, I was chuffed that the award-winning musician was more than happy to cook with me in his kitchen. On my arrival that morning the mood is sombre, as news of legendary artist Bra Hugh Masekela's passing filters in. But, we both put on brave faces and tackle the task at hand: cooking! I persuade J to prepare something from his cookbook, Something's Cooking. It's a collection of amazing recipes with a rich history – from the Portuguese meals he grew up eating with his family, to the infamous seven colours his wife introduced him to, and the township meals MiCasa have shared while working. For today, he has chosen to recreate the…

Aries ARIES (21 Mar – 19 Apr) Be disciplined and finish what you started. After the 15th things start to flow. Your timing is crucial for success. Be forgiving and avoid butting heads. When doors don’t open, find another way in. Love: Give your lover a tip: You want to be desired and to bathe in the glow of love. Don’t wait – initiate. Work/Money: Blasting into a boardroom is not a good idea. Be smart and sincere. You get more out of people when you are dripping with charm. TAURUS (20 Apr – 20 May) Dissect the past, brainstorm and look at things from every angle until you are satisfied you know how to proceed. Love: Love is in the air! Go for it. When…

Comfort First Cotton On Body’s latest craze is the High Impact Sports Bra, which has mesh panels. Exercise fanatics will be happy to learn that there is no underwire for support and shape; rather it has padded straps for comfort. It's touted as the brand’s highest impact performance bra yet. The High Impact Sports Bra is available in ten prints and colours with matching shorts and tights. Ramsey comes to South Africa! Turkish menswear fashion brand Ramsey's first SA flagship store is at Mall of Africa, Gauteng. It's popular for quality, tailored suits. Businesswoman Clara Makara holds the distribution rights in Africa; she hopes to expand the brand across the continent. My latest obsession The Charles & Keith denim tote and studded pumps by Miss Black @ Spree. Kardashian-Jenner sisters…

DRESSES Wear with: Style a denim frock with loafers or heels at work, or sneakers on the weekends – the options are truly endless. JACKETS Wear with: A denim jacket is a must-have item. Instead of the double-denim vibes, look pretty in a bright dress and espadrilles. SKIRTS Wear with: If you're not a mini skirt person, go for a midi skirt. That, and a crisp white shirt and block heels will make you look hot!…

TARGETED APPROACH Gone are the days of concealing the problem – making sure your skin is healthy is a bigger and more urgent priority. Masking is one of the most effective ways to tackle issues like dehydration, dullness, acne breakout and hyper-pigmentation. Beauty giant Clarins has formulated three masks to boost hydration, improve texture and combat oiliness. Use each mask individually, or apply what you need where you need it. My personal favourite is the Clarins SOS Pure Rebalancing Clay Mask because I have oily skin that’s prone to break out. Give them a try and find your favourite. Clarins SOS Masks R515 LOCAL IS LEKKER Local beauty brand Sorbet is leading the pack yet again with their newest offering: a make-up range that puts your skin first. This collection…

At the 2018 Golden Globe Awards, Oprah accepted the prestigious Cecil B de Mille award – she’s the first African-American woman to win this award. The mogul sauntered up towards the stage, looking more svelte than usual. Her partner Stedman Graham watched from the crowds, beaming with pride. Her now-popular didn’t only start a movement, but inspired black girls to reach for their dreams. With tears running down her face, Oprah dedicated her award to, “All the women that endured abuse. They, like my mother, had children to feed and bills to pay and dreams to pursue.” We all couldn’t help but shed a tear too, as we remembered the progress black women have made to fight social ills and beat stereotypes. The #TimeisUp movement saw Hollywood actresses band together…

THE NEW SENSATION – TUMI B, 32 Crown Gospel Award winning gospel singer Boitumelo Mudau was raised in Soshanguve in Gauteng, and, as fate would have it, she’s a pastor’s daughter. Tumi boasts more than 15 years in the music industry – she was a backing vocalist and member of Worship House. She finally decided to go solo and released her first album, Uncapped Worship – Trust in 2017. Her love for music: “Music was bound to be a big part of my life because I grew up in church and ministry. I joined the church’s worship team when I was just eight years old; I started to sing there and even got a chance to lead praise and worship. My mom is also a gospel artist. I remember…

MUSSEL AND SALMON RICE SALAD Ingredients 300g mussels, in half shells 150g salmon, cubed ⅓ cup fish stock 1 lemon, juiced 3T olive oil 1 onion, chopped 1 clove garlic, crushed 1 tsp coriander 1 tsp cumin 2 cups brown rice, cooked 1 cup quinoa, cooked 1 cup frozen peas Salt and black pepper Dressing: ⅓ cup olive oil ⅓ cup lemon juice 1 clove crushed garlic (mix all together) Method 1. In a saucepan, bring the stock and lemon juice to the boil. Add the salmon and poach for 2 minutes. Remove and set aside. 2. In the same stock, add the mussels and cook for 2 minutes. Remove and set aside. Reserve the stock. 3. In a large frying pan, heat oil and sauté onion and garlic, add…

Soviet is a much-loved authentic fashion brand that’s been providing contemporary yet elegant style since 1987. It’s comfortable, elegant and has stood the test of time as the go-to brand to express yourself. With Soviet stores spread over 16 locations in Southern Africa, you can rock the latest items from the Autumn/Winter range. In celebration of friendship Soviet is giving away prizes worth R25 600 It includes gift cards worth R4 000 each, 4 pairs of Soviet sunglasses and 4 Soviet watches! SMS Keyword: Soviet SMSes cost R1 each. Ts & Cs apply. COMPETITION AND GIVEAWAY RULES 1. The judges’ decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into. 2. The prizes are not transferable and may not be converted into cash. 3. You may send in as many…

Find 'the one': 1. Try on different styles like high-waisted or wide-leg. You might be pleasantly surprised by how well they fit you. 2. Visible panty lines and jeans that gap at the back are so last century! Ensure the gap between your body and the waistband of the jeans is no bigger than an inch (2,5 cm). The cut and fit must be snug. 3. Fit is everything . Apple-shaped women should look for stretchable material in a straight leg cut, preferably in a darker shade as it's slimming. PERFECT FOR EVERY OCCASION.  WEEKENDS: It's all about being comfortable, and for this, we love the boyfriend jeans as they're loose. Go ahead and keep things ultra-laid back. Another great alternative is the wide-leg fit. FOR WORK: Indigo blue or…

SLAY WHITE SNEAKERS LIKE A STYLE INFLUENCER 1. The simpler the design, the better. Keep the embellishments minimal. 2. Rock your pair with a dress with an intricate or geometric print, or colour-blocked outfit. 3. If all-white is too mute for you, add a touch of detail like flowers or stripes to make your sneakers super cool.…

1. Why did you choose modelling? I went into modelling because I had been told I was pretty and tall. I liked to look at fashion models in magazines and on Fashion TV. I was inspired and from then on modelling became a passion. 2. How did your career start? It began in Angola in 2010. I saw a competition on TV and thought it would be a great opportunity to help my family, as the winner received prize money. I also wanted to pay for my varsity fees. 3. How has your career progressed? At some point I was a high fashion model, doing runway shows, campaigns, editorials and lots of magazine covers. I made enough money to send back home to my family and to help myself. It…

WHAT IS A PRIMER? A make-up primer prepares your skin for your foundation, BB cream or tinted moisturiser. It assists your coverage product to stay on longer and give a flawless finish. There are a wide variety of primers on the market for your bespoke beauty needs – from mattifying to pore refining types. You can also buy eye and lip primers as well. WHY SHOULD YOU USE IT? Incorporating a primer into your make-up routine will save you time on touching up your face during the day, especially if you struggle with oily skin. Primers also combat other problems like wrinkles, large pores, redness and acne marks. Women who struggle with oily eyelids will also benefit tremendously from eye primers as they will prevent creasing and smudging. HOW YOU…

The saying goes, “Let go of what no longer serves you so you can attract more of what you really need.” For Thembisa, the minute this adage clicked, she bid farewell to the popular Mzansi Magic show Our Perfect Wedding (OPW), and almost immediately, was flooded with even more blessings. Her career has been rocketing, and winning South Africa’s heart on her way up. We’ve seen her get down on MNet’s Dancing With The Stars show, and also captivate viewers on the Ferguson Films produced drama series, Unmarried. She’s also co-host of the SABC 1 show Your Next Million; and then there’s Baby Mamas, which is a comedy film about four South African women who’re single moms. She stars alongside Dineo Ranaka, Salamina Mosese and Kay Smith, and the film…

Sensational songbird Wanda Baloyi is back in the music industry. This time, however, she’s not belting out jazzy tunes. Instead, she’s behind the decks, spinning the turntables. Wanda now goes by the name of Queen Choco. This, she says, is something she’s always wanted to do. “Queen Choco has always been there. She was just waiting for the world to be ready for me to unleash her.” She continues: “The name came to me on 1 January 2016. That’s when I knew it’s time to do this. The reception has been good so far.” Queen Choco is a DJ and a house vocalist. What sets her apart is the production – every time she performs, she does so with singers and dancers, giving fans a holistic experience. As for how…

SKIN EDUCATOR AT SORBET NTSIKI KHUMALO SHARES THESE TOP 10 SKINCARE RULES BLACK WOMEN SHOULD LIVE BY: 1. Apply sunscreen or use a day moisturiser with high sun protection whenever you are exposed to the sun. Avoid sun screen with high amounts of zinc and titanium dioxide as they make the skin appear grey. Reapply some more product when exposed to the sun for extended periods and when swimming. 2. Exfoliate three times a week to help increase cell turnover and slough away flaky skin to reveal a more radiant, glowing you. Don’t use the same exfoliator you use for your body on your face. Products with sugar or salt granules are ideal for the body but not for facial skin. 3. Apply a mask best suited to your skin…

Black tax is not a new concept and many members of the Sandwich Generation – in financial circles, those affected by black tax are called the Sandwich Generation – have watched their parents paying some form of black tax while growing up. Lerato 38, is an engineer and remembers her parents supporting members of their extended family. “When I was growing up, my parents were supporting two nieces in addition to my two brothers and myself. My parents paid for their education from high school through to university. My mother is the eldest, and she and her younger sister were the first to go to varsity, so it was expected that they’d support their three other siblings once they found work. “My father is from a family of five and…

POMEGRANATE AND NUT SALAD INGREDIENTS 400g mixed chicory leaves 2 pears sliced into matchsticks 1 apple, sliced into matchsticks 100g walnuts, crushed ½ pomegranate seeds For the dressing 2T naartjie juice 1T naartjie zest ½ cup red-wine vinegar ½ cup extra-virgin olive oil 1 tsp English mustard 1 tsp honey Pinch salt and pepper METHOD 1. Place the leaves, pears, apple and walnuts in a large bowl and toss to combine. 2. Whisk all the dressing ingredients together and dress the salad, tossing to coat. 3. Sprinkle over pomegranate seeds and serve immediately. SWEET POTATO AND CHICKPEA CURRY INGREDIENTS 1T coconut oil 1 brown onion, finely chopped 2 large cloves garlic, finely chopped 2 to 3 red chillies, finely chopped 2 tsps garam masala 1 tsp turmeric 1 tsp ground…

Movies NEW MUTANTS Release date: 13 April In this latest Marvel installment, five new mutants are unaware of and are still too young to control their unusual powers. They end up in a secret institution where they have to deal with their fears and unexplained events and resolve to fight their way out of the facility. BLOCKERS Release date: 20 April Three parents (John Cena, Leslie Mann, Ike Barinholtz) of teenagers find out their daughters made a pact to lose their virginity on Prom night. The horrified parents plan a covert operation to foil their plans by all means possible. Will they succeed without their kids finding out? MADAME Release date: 27 April A married couple (Toni Collette, Harvey Keitel) move to Paris and as they prepare…