Christmas came early

Fate favoured me in Denise's prize draw for the translucent tangerine vinyl vase from Freshly Found.

So I went to collect my prize (no point in posting between two Durbanites) and Denise gave me a bag which I thought contained only this gorgeous vase.

Photo: Freshly Found

When I opened the parcel at home I found it was FULL! of lovely lovely LOVELY! goodies from Freshly Found.

I was so surprised. Opening all the beautifully wrapped gifts was like an early Christmas.

If you'd like to find out more about all the marvellous things Denise makes, follow her blog here

Alphabet Bags - Yay Hooray!

Okay, I confess, I'm still window shopping online (pssst, check out these actual Christmas window displays in London) and today I found these lovely Alphabet Bags by Rob Ryan (of the laser-cut paper art fame).

Guess which letter I'm wanting most...

Hello Kitty pasta - SO COOL!

I love this. I don't even know why. I think it's the logo fiend inside me.

Woolworths (bless them) has got Hello Kitty pasta on their shelves.

Spotted today at my local Woolies.

Hand-made Christmas gift

I bought this last year for my aunt and have finally made it up in time to give it to her for Christmas.

Christmas shopping

Oh yes! It's that time of year already and as I'm travelling soon I'm trying (as usual) to get all the Christmas shopping done early.

Today I saw this piece of wonderful kit. Perfect for the geek in your life.

Einstein USB drive 16GB

From here

Shopping!

I am just in love with this little spoon-rest! 

From here

He reminds me of this guy! 

From Amazon, and not for sale to persons under 18.

Assagay coffee

Recently we got the chance to tour the coffee farm of Assagay Coffee (available locally).

Coffee trees

It's a complete tour from seedlings to tree and fruit to dried bean, followed by the sorting and roasting. The process is very labour-intensive and a lot of love and skill goes into a cup of coffee. The roasting part is the most complicated because that affects the flavour so significantly.

After the tour we were treated to a cup of coffee and some yummy banana loaf and pecan pie in the farm coffee shop.

Banana loaf (baked in a mini loaf tin) and pecan pie.

You can go on a tour too, they're not very far from central Durban. Contact them on 0317821268 or 083640223.