Fairlady December 2019

I have finally worked out (slow, I know) that the anticipation of a holiday is way more relaxing than the holiday itself. ‘This time next month,’ I think, ‘I’ll be lying in the sun somewhere (slathered from head to toe in factor 550 sunscreen, obv), reading a book.’ Or, ‘Next week this time I’ll be having a peaceful snooze under a tree after a long walk along the beach.’ Beautiful images and ideas that sustain me through the end-of-year madness. But in my experience, holidays are actually nothing like that: they’re basically a bunfight from dawn till… well, dawn: a fantastic chaos of friends and rellies and meals and shopping and cooking and talking and laughing and cleaning and music and dancing and cooking and shopping and new waves of…

AMY I’ve been avoiding this doccie about Amy Winehouse for so long: I love her music, and I knew it would make me weep, and it did. It also had the small side-effect of making me want to punch everyone who ever had anything to do with her in the teeth, starting with her utterly disgusting husband, followed by her terrible parents, then pretty much everyone else in her life, other than her three oldest friends. Aside from all that, though, it’s abrilliant documentary and I would strongly recommend it! ME What’s so compelling about this autobiography (written with music journalist Alexis Petridis) is that Elton John hasn’t tried to hide at all. It’s all out there: the excess, the pomp, the petulance, the parties – he hasn’t whitewashed anything.…

WINNING LETTER In good company Your October issue: what a treat! Melissa, Liz, Sally AND Tannie Maria – who could resist that? I read it from cover to cover, in one sitting, in my bed, on a Saturday, while my boys were glued to the rugby. Next to Juno, my Maltese, who was curled up beside me, I couldn’t have asked for better company. Thank you! Kerry Johnston Ed: Definitely our favourite letter of the month! Thanks for such a lovely compliment at the end of a long year: it made our day. Sheltered Propelled by economic distress, I asked the Napier branch of The Haven Night Shelter group to assist me in my job search in the Cape. They volunteered to put me up for three months for a…

Sparkling, charming and exuberant, Viva La Juicy Rosé is a light-hearted toast to the vibrant Viva girl. Inspired by her free-spirited exuberance, the fragrance is an irresistible bouquet of honey-like pink blossoms kissed by the glow of sensual amber, and pops with fizzy citrus perfection. THE HAMPER INCLUDES: Juicy Couture Viva La Juicy Rosé Eau De Parfum (100ml), Viva La Juicy Rosé (10ml) and Viva La Juicy (10ml). INSTAGRAM: @juicycouture FACEBOOK: Juicy Couture TWITTER: @juicycouture • facebook.com/fairladymag • twitter.com/fairladymag • instagram.com/fairlady_magazine/ • pinterest.com/fairladymag • letters@fairlady.com…

OUTDOOR MOVIES Usually I spend my time at Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden during the day, but lately I have been going just before sunset – for an open-air movie! We collect our blankets and chairs, browse the food stalls for tapas and pizzas, and make our way to an open spot of grass. There are even giant lawn games to keep you busy until the stars come out. The Galileo Open Air Cinema runs from Wednesday to Saturday (and selected Sundays) until 25 April next year, and is held at other venues such as the V&A Waterfront, Meerendal Wine Estate as well as Steenberg Farm. The choice of movies is staggering: 117, to be exact! Choose from well-loved musicals and classics like The Sound of Music, Dirty Dancing and Grease.…

Usually I can’t be away from my phone, but at the time I was over the constant barrage of negativity on social media. I needed a Twitter detox. So I booked a weekend away at De Hoop Collection at De Hoop Nature Reserve: the Fig Tree restaurant and lounge area has Wi-Fi, but other than that, reception is spotty at best. Perfect. Accommodation-wise, you’ll find camping sites, self-catering rondavels, and luxury options – so no matter your budget, there’s a bed for you. But it won’t matter much: there’s so much to do, you won’t be spending a lot of time in your room. While you don’t have to be fit to really enjoy the reserve (I’m not in the least), it definitely gives you more options if you are.…