Innehållsförteckning för Oct/Dec 2023 från True Love

Historically, one of the only ways to make this decision has been to compare prices and choose the most affordable cover without much consideration for its quality. Consumers had little to no insight into the many intricacies of policies as acquiring coverage was either done via a call centre, direct insurer, an insurance agent who only offered one product or it was left to third parties such as an insurance broker to make this choice on your behalf. Even today, many insurance companies often advertise to consumers, promising to match or beat the premiums you pay if you switch over to them, again, with no reference to scope of cover or any restrictions on their policy. This is almost as absurd as offering to match the price of a car…

In the world of glamour, beauty and stardom, the pursuit of perfection often knows no bounds. As the spotlight shines on the captivating world of Brazilian Butt Lifts (BBLs) and mommy makeovers, South Africa finds itself in a craze that is altering bodies and the very definition of beauty. Celebrity personality Thando Thabethe’s recent harrowing ordeal under the knife has also cast a spotlight on the perils and allure of these procedures. What’s the hype, and why has it taken 2023 by storm? In this detailed guide, we take a closer look at BBL and mommy makeover trends, providing you with essential information, the implications and often-overlooked expenses associated with these procedures. THE HYPE In the glittering world of Mzansi, where culture and modernity collide, the BBL and mommy makeover…

Social media lit up this year when actress, businesswoman and influencer Thuli Phongolo laid an assault charge against her boyfriend, music producer Themba Sekowe, aka DJ Maphorisa. The next day, he appeared in court and was released on R4 000 bail. The uproar grew when it emerged that she had withdrawn the charge, followed by the pair posting a joint statement saying they had chosen to resolve the issue privately through their management and legal teams. They also warned that they would take legal action against anyone making “defamatory or false statements”. Although Thuli and DJ Maphorisa have stayed mum on the matter since, it shone a spotlight on domestic abuse – and the question why, even with the rise of movements like #MeToo and the support of a range…

Financial reasons, convenience and just enjoying being at home are the most common reasons why adult children are living with their parents. Almost one in two children now leave home, but return at least once before the age of 35 – a generation of “boomerang kids”. Some adult children aren’t leaving home at all, with almost half citing financial pressures as the reason they’re staying with their parents – a situation that was exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic. Dr Katherine Newman of the School of Arts and Sciences at Johns Hopkins University, US, has written The Accordion Family (R445, Takealot) about generations living together. In the Quarterly Labour Force Survey, published at the end of last year, Stats SA reported that 31% of South Africans aged between 15 and 24…

Huddled in a pool of tears in the most luxurious hotel villa I’ve ever set foot in because I forgot my phone in the shuttle was the moment I needed to stop and reevaluate my priorities. For years, I’ve functioned in PTSD mode, juggling being a single mom with a high-pressure job and life. Now, I had been whisked off to paradise, and all I could think about was work and my children. At that moment, I decided to check out mentally, be in the moment and enjoy what Mauritius had to offer. I would recommend this for any woman who ever finds themselves living like I have been. BUCKET LIST, CHECK I take a connecting flight to Joburg to meet my travel group and board Air Mauritius. We landed…

Celebrating 30 years this year, the sought-after resort saw it fit to upgrade the luxurious suite with a fresh look. The two-year-long revamp was led by interior architectural design specialist David Muirhead and coincided with the exciting additions of a fully functional gym, nail salon and serene wellness spa. As one may expect, the Covid-19 pandemic drastically impacted the way we travel, especially for leisure. During an exclusive tour of the African Suite, deputy general manager Darryn Pypers told us that the resort had to fully shut down due to the outbreak. And three years later, it has readjusted to new travel trends. Among the biggest shifts are that the number of local travellers has increased, and the decline in international guests from countries like the US. Pypers says: “The…

1. The Fraud by Zadie Smith She is the best-selling author of White Teeth – if you haven’t read it yet, start here. Her new book, The Fraud, is historical fiction, conjuring up the then-infamous story of the Tichborne Trial – a Victorian-era court case where an Australian butcher claimed to be the rightful heir of an English estate and its title. 2. Vintage Rugby Yes, the Rugby World Cup has put rugby shirts back on the map, but they’ve never been considered mega fashionable. Vintage rugby jerseys, on the other hand? A winner. Check out the collection from new-on-the-scene local brand Chalk & Jagger. They do great rugby socks and polo shirts too. Polo shirt, R899, and rugby jersey, R1 799, chalkandjagger.com 3. The Bob It’s not just for…

WATCHES + JEWELS Watch Trend Guide Breitling’s Huit Aviation Department made its mark in aeronautics by creating precision cockpit clocks and wrist chronographs, which led to the introduction of the Ref. 765 AVI, a pilot’s chronograph equipped with a rotating 12-hour bezel for recording flight times. Ease of use and legibility quickly won favour with aviators and the watch was renamed the AVI “Co-Pilot”. Seventy years since that moment, Breitling released the Classic AVI in a 42mm format – shaving off 4mm from its predecessor, the Super AVI. The Classic AVI is powered by the trim Breitling Caliber 23 chronograph movement, which contributes to the pared-down format customers have been asking for. The collection’s colour scheme honours four of history’s most remarkable aircraft: the North American Aviation P-51 Mustang, the…

South Africa’s landscape oozes beauty from every corner, so it’s difficult to choose a forever home when relocating locally. Before you lose your heart to somewhere fabulous, consider practicalities such as the area’s potential for growth, established safety measures and proximity to schools and healthcare. Luxury lifestyle estates, such as the award-winning Steyn City outside Johannesburg, are prime property in South Africa. These kinds of developments make it easy to commit straight away. At Steyn City, for example, apart from the usual high-end features, the well-being and safety of residents is always a top priority, making it sought-after for all age groups. Move to the KwaZulu-Natal North Coast, and popular Ballito is a thriving hub of activity with many good schools, high-street shops and restaurants. However, it’s also close to…

Balmain in South Africa Attention all fashion lovers! The historic Parisian luxury fashion house of Balmain is pleased to announce the opening of its first South African boutique, located on Sandton City’s Diamond Walk. If you’re around Sandton, pop into the luxury boutique and spoil yourself with an item or two. BATA COMFIT FOOTWEAR International footwear label Bata Comfit has released a new ladies-only range, available exclusively at Miladys. Bata Comfit footwear is crafted to gently support feet throughout the day. The shoes are ultra-lightweight with cushioned insoles and heels, enhanced arch support, padding for the ball of the foot, anti-slip outsoles and an advanced ergonomic design so they can be worn for extended periods without discomfort. The latest spring/summer 23 collection, available at selected Miladys stores nationwide and online,…

Covid-19 and the climate of uncertainty we’re living through have made it imperative to eat food that is good for our health and good for the planet. The nutritional and sustainable benefits of our indigenous foods are the primary reason to latch onto them. But, a mindset shift is needed – from negative perceptions like the “poverty food” stigma to embracing them with pride and in experimental ways. Thankfully, some experts have started the work of mainstreaming our indigenous foods. Chef and consumer scientist Queen Finxa, through her “Sorghum Agenda”, develops exciting sorghum recipes and advocates for the strong visibility of the grain. Integrative and functional nutritionist Mpho Tshukudu has a wealth of knowledge and recipes in her book, Eat Ting: Lose Weight Gain Health Find Yourself, written with Anna…

Living with a disability It can be challenging to wake up to the new reality of a disability if you were not born that way. This was the case for paralympian rower, World Cup silver medallist and ambassador of East Rand-based NPO Little Eden Society Sandra Khumalo, who lived a normal life until she turned 22. She was involved in a catastrophic car accident that twisted her spine and left her paralysed from her waist down. The 40-year-old, who had worked in the tourism industry when the accident happened, says, “Hearing the news that I would not be able to walk again opened a well of grief for a long time. However, going to rehab and engaging with a physiotherapist and occupational therapist helped a lot as they managed to…

YOU ARE RUINING MY LIFE! If you live with a teenager, chances are, you’ve heard those five words before. They’re hurtful, mean-spirited and goading, but are they accurate? Definitely – for some people. According to Terri Apter, a psychologist and author of Difficult Mothers: Understanding and Overcoming Their Power (R379, Takealot), all mothers have bad days with “a smattering of unreasonable demands, occasional neediness and a careless or vicious word”. She adds, “Certainly, mothers get angry, tired, fed up and frightened. That’s not unusual. It’s well within normal.” But then there are other mothers – about 20% of cases Apter has studied – who are so demanding, controlling or fuelled by anger, they literally hold their child hostage to their needs, whether that child is six or 60. Never really…

As the open road stretches out before you, either the promise of adventure beckons or the pit in your stomach grows – thinking about the comments you’re about to endure concerning your weight gain. And while a long road trip is a thrilling experience (for some), it can quickly turn into a nightmare if your trusted wheels aren’t up for it. To ensure a smooth and enjoyable journey, it’s important that you prepare your car carefully. Here are the essential steps to get it road trip-ready so you can hit the highway with confidence. STEP 1: Perform a thorough inspection before the journey. If you’re no expert, rely on your car mechanic. Also, remember that they might be swamped during this period, so plan carefully. Start by examining the following:…

ONE Texture Rules Decor We know interior designers love velvet, but what about boucle? The textured 1950s fabric that’s having such a comeback? Yes, it is here to stay. The naturally chunky texture of boucle allows it to feel cosy and comfortable. It also lends itself to more natural and organic shapes. As mid-century design continues to be on everyone’s radar, this fabric is perfectly suited to the shape and feel of the period and is – good news! – very easy to maintain. Find our new faves at @home. TWO Lace Up Two things to know about your trainer game for 2024… The New York cool kids are wearing contrasting pastel laces in their trainers, while the London cool kids have rediscovered Nike Shox. Yep, these early 2000s shoes…

WATCHES + JEWELSWatch Trend Guide Piaget pays homage to its goldsmithing expertise with two handcrafted high-jewellery sautoirs fashioned from twisted gold chains. They are made by wrapping a single strand of wire around a mandrel to create a coil, then hand-twisting them individually to shape harmonious, homogenous links, before final assembly. The process takes no less than 130 hours, and each chain is unique. One tassel-style sautoir with a 25.38ct oval cabochon Zambian emerald matches an oval-shaped dial. The other has twisted gold circling the dial, further brought to life with Palace Decor, the essence of Piaget’s gold craftsmanship. Wonderfully feminine, the Perlée™ Secret Pendant Watch by Van Cleef & Arpels showcases the watchmaking savoir-faire and jewellery inspiration that epitomises the style of the House. The new pieces in the…

Essentially, you’re not alone. The global urge for mobility remains undeterred despite the pandemic’s impact on international movement. Closer to home, international investment migration advisory firm Henley & Partners says South African enquiries about residence and citizenship by investment programmes increased by 66.8% between Q4 2022 and Q1 2023. Thomas Scott, group head of real estate at Henley & Partners, agreed, saying real estate-linked investment migration programmes were desirable to South African investors. “International real estate has always been a reliable asset class due to its long-term staying power. Real estate-linked investment migration programmes have the additional advantages of enhancing your global mobility through multiple passports and expanding your personal access rights as a citizen or resident of additional jurisdictions, creating optionality regarding where you and your family can live,…

DESIGN + MOTORING What’s Trending In The World Of Motoring BMW XM I am going to start this off with a bang. A BMW bang! The XM doesn’t exactly look like the poster child for eco-living. You would be forgiven for thinking that this is yet another fuel-guzzling, environment-destroying, burly beast. You would have beast right, though. This does boast a 4.4-litre V8 engine under the bonnet, but it also happens to be a plug-in hybrid. You see, it has an electric motor that will allow you to drive in electric mode for up to 90km. It will also regenerate energy. This controversially beautiful (beauty is in the eye of the beholder, after all) beast only consumes a claimed 2.7l/100km. Crazy, right? Especially when you consider that you will also…

It is a common belief in South Africa that connections are the key to unlocking opportunities as knowing the right people is often considered paramount. While there may be some truth to this notion, it’s crucial not to disregard those who have diligently paved their own paths, actively exploring new avenues and ensuring that they are thoroughly prepared for any opportunities that cross their journeys. So, whenever you encounter people with thriving businesses or a perpetual drive for success, bear in mind that they have made investments in themselves and their ventures, meticulously preparing themselves to seize the opportunities that come their way. We often tend to remark on how others had seemingly easier access to funding and opportunities due to specific privileges. However, we may not be putting in…

When workplace woes sneak in with artificial lighting and outdated technology, there’s only one thing you can do: head to the kitchen for a cup of tea and a rant with your work wife. Not the shwashwi type, but your workplace number one. She has your back when work gets too much, lets you blow off steam in a safe place (the closest bar) and gives you the LOLs you so desperately need to make it past 3pm. The catch? There is none! Principal psychologist Lana Hall reveals the major emotional benefits of bagging yourself an office spouse. WHY A WORK WIFE? Happily in love? Great! Have the best network of friends? #Blessed. Still, nobody understands your workplace dynamic like your colleagues. It doesn’t matter how many times you’ve been…

In the intricate landscape of relationships, where love, trust and companionship often take centre stage, there exists a silent, destructive force that can shatter lives just as profoundly as physical violence – financial abuse. It is an issue rarely discussed openly, yet its impact is felt deeply by countless individuals, primarily women, across South Africa. PERSONAL JOURNEYS – OVERCOMING FINANCIAL ABUSE IN RELATIONSHIPS Thandi’s experience Thandi, a 35-year-old mother of two from Durban, found herself ensnared in a web of financial abuse. Her partner controlled every aspect of their finances, forbidding her from working and scrutinising every expenditure. “I felt like a prisoner in my own home,” she says. Her path to freedom began with a single step – confiding in a close friend, who then shared an article with…

Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year for me. Every year, we pile the kids into the car and pilgrimage north to see my parents, who would otherwise likely spend it solo. There’s every reason to be jolly: it’s often our only break for the year and the red carpet is reliably rolled out. My partner and in-laws (who we usually see during the year) have always gracefully accepted this arrangement. But for many of my friends, the decision on how and where to spend Christmas can be fraught with frustration, angst or sorrow. A colleague, whose family lives overseas and whose partner was travelling for work, felt overwhelmed with sadness to be spending the day alone. A close friend, estranged from her family, arranges an orphans and…

Here’s a picture you will never see on a Christmas card: a drunk 35-year-old twerking on a plastic reindeer at her work party or a single 38-year-old inhaling more than a few supermarket mince pies in bed while maxing out her credit card on superbalist.com. And yet, quite often, those scenarios are a truer representation of the holiday season – an alcohol-fuelled mash-up of huge exhaustion as well as emotion and awkward social situations... all with an unpleasant calorie and credit-card chaser. Oh, and you just put on 5kg. Merry freaking Christmas! “Christmas is supposed to be this really amazing, magical time,” explains psychologist Marny Lishman. “We have all grown up thinking of it that way, but then you’re in adulthood and suddenly, it becomes a major stressor. It can…

Let’s toast to the new season Introducing the latest addition from Alvi’s Drift, multi-award-winning, internationally acclaimed Sparkling wines. Matching the same quality as the popular cap Classique varietals – the bubbly is smooth and crisp to the sip. The sparkling Brut Blanc de Blanc (from R120) and Brut Rose (R120) will be the newest carowd-pleaser at your next gathering. Celebrate your hard work with a toast. LIKE FINE WINE Roodeberg Black (R179) is a classic red blend. It’s warm to the taste, but not too intense. The intense fruit flavours hit first as you take a sip, followed by spicy mocha and vanilla flavours. Great enjoyed with slow cooks and red meat dishes. HIT THE ROAD After much demand, Carol Boyes has introduced a new range of double insulated flasks.…

BRUNCH PLATTER Serves: 12 Beetroot-cured salmon is the star of this platter, with supporting acts from veggie fritters, soft-boiled eggs and home-made spelt blinis. Everything else is an optional finishing touch, designed to add extra punches of flavour and texture to the salmon. Add some or all of them to your platter. You can also opt out of cooking by subbing in the cheat’s suggestions. MAKE • Beetroot-cured salmon• Root vegetable slaw• Green veggie fritters• Spelt or whole-wheat blinis• Honey mustard & dill sauce• Pickled red onions• Horseradish and caper mayo BUY • Asparagus, to blanch• Baby cucumbers• Horseradishes• Baby cos lettuce• Capers, dry well and fry in olive oil until crisp• Salmon roe/caviar• Eggs, soft-boiled• Crème fraîche• Lemons, halved and wrapped in muslin• Crackers OTHER OPTIONS • Pumpernickel• Rye…

Powerful and empowering, bright pink has been the dominant colour for 2023. Whether you take your cue from Pantone’s Viva Magenta as Colour of the Year with its transformative red tone or swing towards the Barbie Pantone, which is a combination of pink and magenta, there’s got to be a hint of pink in your wardrobe somewhere, if only for a theme party! Watch designers have got your back though. Feeling brave and fearless, joyous and optimistic, or gentle and feminine? You’re bound to find a pink-tinged dial colour to match your mood. We loved the new models in the self-winding sport-chic Tudor Royal line. Not only are they pegged for high performance, but they look and feel amazing on the wrist and the price won’t break the bank. The…

PROPERTY + TRAVEL The Biggest Trends In Residential Property Right Now To qualify for the Spain Residence by Investment Program, you must buy a house worth over €500 000 (R10.02m), but there are other ways to live in Spain without investing or working there. Nonresidents can purchase property without restriction or apply to live there on a retirement visa, a Non-Lucrative Visa Spain, or a digital nomad visa, whichever is applicable. However, the minimum time a South African must live in Spain to become a permanent resident is five years, no matter the type of visa solicited. Award-winning luxury property specialists Home Hunts can help you with your property search. They specialise in finding hidden gems in Europe, such as this mountaintop villa, between Ibiza Town and the village of…

AUDI Q6 E-TRON Audi left us all rather impressed with the introduction of no fewer than six EV models last year. But there is now more to come in the form of not only the Q8 e-tron, but also the brand-new Q6 e-tron SUV. It is the first model series based on the newly developed Premium Platform Electric, which is jointly developed by Audi and Porsche, and is designed exclusively for electric vehicles. As Audi puts it, this model has been designed from the inside out. There isn’t a huge amount of information about the Q6 e-tron and that’s because it hasn’t officially been launched yet. This will happen next year, and we can expect to see it on South African soil by the end of 2024 or early 2025.…