Fairlady June 2017

Last year, according to CNN, Denmark reclaimed its position as The World’s Happiest Country, snatching it back from Switzerland. Hard to believe, with all that chocolate, but that’s what happened. Not for the first time, either: Denmark has often been number one in the happiness stakes. And apparently it’s all down to the Danish concept of hygge. Hygge is hard to define, but it seems to describe a prevailing sense of cosiness and calm. It’s about friends and family, and hunkering down together with people you love in a relaxed, warm space, away from all the craziness. Easy for some, I thought – all that cosiness doesn’t really work here, where our weather is about 250% better than it is in Denmark. No one really wants to hang out indoors…

1. FORBRYDELSEN (THE KILLING) Just to set the mood! This is a really excellent, although very bleak, detective procedural (the detective is a woman in a frumpy but somehow incredible jersey, which is enough to set it apart anyway). The Killing was released about 10 years ago, but it was the first Danish and series showcases to get international 2 how brilliant interest they were. Apparently the show everyone is holding out for at the moment is Gidseltagningen. No idea how to say it, but it’s meant to be excellent… 2. DAINTY BESS PINOT NOIR 2013 MÉTHODE CAP CLASSIQUE If you’re already over winter, this lovely pink bubbly is a reminder that spring is around the corner. Now made by Jane Ferreira, Dainty Bess can be tricky…

WINNING LETTER Puzzle me this I’m submitting this on behalf on my 92-year-old mother, Margaret Kullin. She’s never been very good at anything domestic – probably because she was busy working two, sometimes three, jobs to keep our family together. I knit not. Neither do I tat. I cannot crochet, sew or weave, or anything like that. I cannot bake and if I cook it’s scrambled egg on toast. In fact, I can’t do anything allowing me to boast. But keep the crosswords coming and, I theorise, if I am consistent I may one day win a prize. Karen Hargreaves Ed: Well, in celebration of your lovely mum and Emma Morano (see page 58 ) CONGRATULATIONS! Say a little mantra for me Toddler = check Moving house = check…

A 6.5kg Spindel laundry dryer and luxurious faux-fur pile throw from the Linen Drawer, both worth more than R3000! Winter brings with it the chore of drying clothes, and the clutter of clothes horses or the musty smell of a tumble dryer – plus a sky-high electricity bill! Spindel uses spin power instead of heat, and removes up to 80% of moisture in three minutes! Get cosy with a faux-fur pile throw from the Linen Drawer, where you’ll also find top-quality bed linen. Visit www.spindel.co.za and www.linendrawer.co.za…

FORMER MODEL Tanya Fourie I’ve been running Cape Town guest house Homestead Villas since 2010. I don’t see this as a career, but a lifestyle. Real estate is my passion; I love the potential of properties, even if they need a lot of TLC. I bought my first piece of property – a petrol station – at age 16. In the beginning, my sister was my business partner. She went on to open a wedding and venue business. We recently lost her to a tragedy [she died in car accident]. Through this grief, I’ve learnt the importance of celebrating friends and family. So part of what we do at Homestead Villas is provide a budget-friendly function venue for people who have something to celebrate. Everything I’ve learnt in life, even…

‘My dad has always encouraged me to be an entrepreneur and I’ve never been too comfortable not having complete control of my destiny.’ Pienaar & Son Owners: Andre and Schalk Pienaar Start-up costs: The business didn’t start with a lump sum. We pulled in favours to keep costs low. But a major thumbsuck would probably put it between R1–R1,5 millon. Turnover: We produce about 700 bottles a month. Andre Pienaar’s background is in music, having fronted indie-rock band, Ashtray Electric, and composing music for film and TV. Yet he felt the urge to craft something different. On the recommendation of his father, Schalk, who’d been designing equipment for distillation for more than 40 years, Andre bought a tiny still, hoping this new hobby would satisfy his craving. He soon realised…