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On my mind

On wanting less

On wanting less

Posted on April 23, 2024 3 Comments

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What do you see when you look in the mirror?

What do you see when you look in the mirror?

Posted on March 23, 2024April 23, 2024 0 Comments

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It’s time to bookmark Travelstart’s upcoming birthday sale

It’s time to bookmark Travelstart’s upcoming birthday sale

Posted on August 19, 2018

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candice.bresler

A glimpse into the life of a thirty-something in Cape Town. Mid-size style • Relatable health & fitness • Food & travel.

Could it be the start of a tradition of sorts? It’s the third time I’ve met with @whyiamnotskinny on my travels (twice her visiting me in Paris, and once me visiting her in Brussels) - and, my second time having the most phenomenal Afternoon Tea at @cedricgroletopera. A treat in itself, it was truly the best sharing it with someone who appreciates food as much as I do - and, for @whyiamnotskinny to experience the generosity, kindness and all-in-all perfect experience that is @cedricgroletopera. I can’t recommend it highly enough.

When you have an Instagram wife traveling with you

When you have an Instagram wife traveling with you, an almost-endless stream of shots of you eating and drinking will follow! Thank you @keri_ann_stanton for donating 482MB of phone space to our eating adventures.

We are, we drank and we were merry. A non-exhausti

We are, we drank and we were merry. A non-exhaustive list of spots we visited in Paris, in case you’re looking for a little inspiration! @pinkmamma_paris • @chezjanou • @maisonladuree • @homerlobster.tr • @restaurant_les_parisiens • @bigmammagroup Pizzeria Popolare • @relaisdelentrecote • @les_antiquaires_paris • @frenchiepigalle

@galeriediorparis - just like the DIOR Ave Montaig

@galeriediorparis - just like the DIOR Ave Montaigne retail experience - is a lesson I pure art and class. The curation, the teams - absolutely flawless. Can’t recommend visiting highly enough (this was my second time).

A little catch up on the past few days - discoveri

A little catch up on the past few days - discovering great coffee in Paris (at last, hello @noir_coffeeshop), a visit to @atelierdeslumieres for an immersive Van Gogh experience, my favourite @sezane and blue skies peeking out.

Learning more about the wines of Alsace was always

Learning more about the wines of Alsace was always a priority during my time in Riquewihr. Apart from tastings in local wine bars, I also booked an Airbnb experience (cost around R670) to taste wines of Grand Cru Sonnenglanz (including Riesling, Gewürztraminer and Pinot Gris - three of the four noble Grands Crus varietals of the region, minus Muscat). The experience was fantastic - learning about what qualifies a wine as Grand Cru (not only premium wine, but can only be made from specific blocks of grapes, harvested by hand etc) - and, learning that all wines from Alsace are single varietal (no Riesling / Muscat blends, for instance).
We tasted three wines; had an incredible charcuterie and cheese platter, with phenomenal views across the town below. Highly recommend!

Scenes from autumn in Paris 🍂

Scenes from autumn in Paris 🍂

By far one of my highlights of the time I spent in

By far one of my highlights of the time I spent in Riquewihr: hiring an electric bicycle from @levelolibre. Here are all the details you need to know:

- You can choose any period you want, from 3 hours onwards. I hired it for 8 hours, for €40.
- You can scan a QR code when you collect your bike, and choose which route you’ll like to choose - there are about 15 to choose from. Each one shows the approximate duration, the route - and opens up on Google Maps.
- Each bicycle comes with a helmet, lock, puncture kit, basket and phone mount on the handlebars (so you can easily follow GPS).
- I chose the route around the 8 villages where I was staying (in Riquewihr) - the bicycle paths are very well marked, and away from busy roads.

Even if you aren’t a cyclist, I can’t recommend this enough. You can stop at each village for a drink; snack or to explore - I got a little lost, found some horses…all part of the adventure!

A few favourites from the surrealism exhibition at

A few favourites from the surrealism exhibition at the @centrepompidou - the Max Ernst in the opening frame was a highlight, but also saw my first Mondrian and Kahlo, and spotted a few more from Dali and even Rothko while wandering the museum. Not my favorite building to look at, but the views and art more than make up for it!

A magical fairytale village in the vines 📍 Riqu

A magical fairytale village in the vines 📍 Riquewihr

Discover Riquewihr. A tiny village in Alsace (with

Discover Riquewihr. A tiny village in Alsace (with a population of around 1 000 people), it is in the heart of Alsace’s wine region, with a very strong German presence - it belonged to France until it was annexed by Germany during the 1870–71 Franco-Prussian War. It was then returned to France by the allies after WWI - oh, and it also one of the main villages that inspired Beauty and the Beast. I spent four days here - and, fell completely in love. The half-timbered buildings, the wine, the cycling - I’ll share more in the coming days, but pop any questions about this little gem below ✨

It was my birthday last week, and I wanted to buy

It was my birthday last week, and I wanted to buy something…just for me. I’ve been following @nette_rose for a while - and thought, what better, perfectly selfish, frivolous gift to get myself? So, here we were. On a balcony in Paris, as a newly-turned 38 year old, in her very, very pretty bra.

And no, this is not a particularly comfortable image for me to post - but, if my travels - and, me in a bra - do nothing else, let it be a constant reminder and encouragement for YOU to live your best life too. Whatever that looks like 🫶🏼

(Taken by my phone on portrait selfie-mode, and a gorilla tripod precariously wrapped around the balcony).

A little catch up on my first 24 hours in Paris! L

A little catch up on my first 24 hours in Paris! Landing at 06h00, it was a wander around the city, before a great lunch at @canardetchampagne - a refresh, and then out to see the sun set fro the Sacre Coeur. I’ll be back in Paris from Sunday, for a full week. More to come!

WIN! To say “thank you” for honestly just bein

WIN! To say “thank you” for honestly just being the loveliest followers I could ever ask for, the lovely team at @thevelvetcakeco are helping me celebrate YOU - because it’s not just birthdays, anniversaries and baby showers that deserve recognition!

You nailed a presentation at work? You deserve cake. You stood up for yourself and asserted your boundaries in a difficult situation? You deserve cake. You finally did that thing you’ve been putting off for weeks? You deserve cake.

To enter, make sure you’re following me - and tell me why you feel you deserve cake in the comments below, and you could soon be enjoying my absolute favourite from @thevelvetcakeco : a 14cm Rainbow Cake

For an extra entry, tag a friend who you feel needs to be celebrated (because cake is better shared!)

Winner announced 20 September 2024.

This is 38 🎈 A new chapter.

This is 38 🎈 A new chapter.

And, just like that, 10 Very Big Days begin. In th

And, just like that, 10 Very Big Days begin. In the next ten days, I have much 20 year high school reunion, my birthday, and my flight to France. And, of course - deadlines, to do lists and…and…and. Accepting any and all offers coffee and sugar-free Redbull.

I’m a firm believer in having your cake and eati

I’m a firm believer in having your cake and eating it, too - and, it seems like @thevelvetcakeco and @mevrouandco agree!

To celebrate Heritage Month, two of my favourite female-run businesses have teamed up to bring you Cake For The Nation: a limited-edition 1L(!) tub of iconic Rainbow Cake in the colours of the South African flag 🇿🇦

Not only do they come with a gift of @mevrouandco stickers celebrating your favourite South Africanisms, but they ship nationwide. Yes. You can have cake - and, a little local flavour from couriered to you. I mean, isn’t that reason alone to celebrate? (From my case-study-of-one I can happily say that carrying a bucket of cake to the beach is a 10/10 life choice, and highly recommended. Bonus? Resealable lid means no sand sneaks in. Picnics, birthday parties - the opportunities are endless).

And, if you’re in Cape Town, pop into one of the @cake.canteen branches to pick up a few treats in person.

#gifted

@hotelskysa turned a very average Thursday into a

@hotelskysa turned a very average Thursday into a night filled with laughter, dancing, singing-along - and more - with the opening of their dinner and show concept: Naughtily Ever After. A (very) adult-themed musical fairytale (this is not the one to bring your kids or parents to) - complete with a substantial mezze-style dinner, fantastic talent and incredible views - we didn’t realise just how much we needed a ridiculous, frivolous night out. It’s on every Friday and Saturday night - book via Quicket. Can’t recommend it enough. #invitedexperience

I have…a lot going on. Don’t we all? From work

I have…a lot going on. Don’t we all? From work to family, friends, finances and health, wellness and self-care…it’s a lot.

@chemistrynatural_science Balance is designed to be “the calm in your daily grind” - and, honestly - who can turn that down? It’s an all-in-one boost of superfoods, probiotics, collagen, and more. One spoon a day helps boost your immune system (deeply needed, as we find ourselves in month 37 of winter here in the Cape) and improve overall well-being and mental clarity. Because, we could all use a little helping hand, right? #gifted

A stroke of absolute luck meant that I discovered

A stroke of absolute luck meant that I discovered @shortandsweetsa is not only barely a block away from my office, but also creates the vital Pistachio Kataifi “Dubai Bars” I’ve been dying to try (watch to the end when I unbox them and break one open). I was a literal kid in a candy store - and also nabbed a box of Hazelnut Crunch Bars. The verdict? I shared them with Luke; who said “this is world-class” - and, considering I bring him the best chocolates I can find in Paris 👌🏼 @shortandsweetsa deliver if you’re not in the area to collect. Trust me on this one.

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