Restaurant Review: Munch

Munch is a cute cafe at the Garden Shop nursery, which is near Rosebank Shopping center  on the corner of Chester Rd and Jan Smuts.
The cafe is open-plan and predominately outdoors, with a charming patio area.
The decor is simple and clean, with worn wooden tables and chairs giving the place a rustic charm.
I came here with my mom today for a quick coffee before she bought some plants at the actual nursery.
I have in the past, however, come here for breakfast and the food was delicious. It is quite a varied menu with something for everyone.
My cappuccino I had today was wonderful- strong with creamy foam.
My mom had a red cappuccino which was also lovely. For those of you who don't know, a red cappuccino is made with rooibos and milk, in the same manner as a normal cappuccino. It is obviously caffeine-free but is a great alternative to a cappucino if you like rooibos and are in the mood for something different.

The biscotti served with the cappuccinos were stale. My mom said to recommend that you soak it in your coffee for at least 5 minutes before attempting to eat it unless you want to break your teeth! I know from past experience that the biscotti are always like this so don't bother asking for another or being hopeful for better luck next time!
As you can see in the photo, there is an array of sweet treats including adorable ginger bread men and fresh scones which are served with jam and whipped cream in the traditional manner.

From glancing at the lunch menu ( they are not open for dinner ) I noticed that the food prices are quite steep, with a halloumi salad priced at R64 and Penne Carbonara at R68. That isn't bad for a plate of good pasta from a decent Italian restaurant but I did expect a cafe to price their food more moderately.

If you are looking for a yummy breakfast or a great cappuccino in a pretty setting then I definitely recommend Munch. The best time to come is definitely on the weekend in the morning as that is when it is flooded with sunlight and filled with plant-shoppers and diners alike.

Starting a work wardrobe

*Jenna*

So the exciting news is that I got the job! I am now an employed interior designer, can't wait to start! For the last month I have slowly been starting to put together my work-clothes-wardrobe. I have had to upgrade my closet to include stunning work outfits instead of just my favourite casuals and glitzy 'going out' clothes.

I am going to take you through the items I have bought to start my wardrobe. When you are starting a work wardrobe from scratch you may have to spend a fair bit of money as it is important the basics are of good quality so that they last you years. You can then supplement the basics with more affordable items as if you cleverly mix a cheaper item with something more expensive, it can make the whole outfit look glamorous and sophisticated.

I set aside a large budget to start off my wardrobe and have decided to then put away a smaller sum every month from my salary to build up my wardrobe with a few more pieces.

Some of the best things you can get to start out your professional wardrobe include:

1) A dress that makes you feel like a million bucks!
I love dresses as you put it on, accessorize it and you have a great outfit. When you are in a rush it's nice not to have to co-ordinate a top and bottom. I stumbled upon this dress at the Killarney Mall's Woolworths for R199 and fell in love. The royal blue looks amazing with my skin tone and I love that the thin belt cinches in my waist. I do, however, want to buy a statement necklace to compliment the outfit as I feel the dress is too plain to wear it to work with no necklace.

2) A smart pair of black pants which are well-tailored.
Black pants go with pretty much everything, so buying them as a basic item insures you can mix and match it with many different tops to create many outfits. This will therefore offer you extreme versatility. I bought a really smart pair of black pants with gold stud details at Sandton's Woolworths for R299.

3) A pencil skirt.
A skirt provides a more feminine alternate to pants. When it comes to skirts there are three flattering lengths: just above the knee, just below the knee and floor length. Three quarter lengths divide up the leg to the eye and makes you look more chunky and shortens you, so please try and avoid these. High-waisted skirts have the advantage of making your legs appear longer and are currently  in fashion. I bought a really beautiful high-waisted black skirt which falls just below the knee. I bought it from Zara for R399.

4) A pretty white blouse.
What is more classic than a white blouse? It should be the staple item in any work wardrobe. It is sophisticated and doesn't force a statement. I bought two white blouses from Zara to start off my wardrobe. Zara has really stunning high quality work clothes, though they can be a bit pricey. The first blouse is a short sleeve, stylish blouse with diamanté details on the sleeves for R499. The second is a long sleeve, sheer silk blouse with gold stud details for R599. I have paired both the tops with the pants and skirt and am happy with how they look.

5) A patterned blouse.
It is nice to have a change from white blouses. So also think about buying other blouses and tops in colours and designs you like so that you have some variety in your outfits. I bought a really lovely black and white striped blouse from Woolworths for R250.

6) Pretty, comfortable pumps / flats.
Find pumps which are feminine and stylish. You will have to walk a lot in them , so make sure they fit your feet comfortably. I found a pair of purple pumps with gold edging from Mr Price for only R79. They look like quality shoes. This here is an example of what I said about mixing expensive items with more affordable items.

7)A well-tailored blazer.
I bought two blazers when I was away over the December holidays. Blazers are amazing for the work place as they are easy to wear and immediately smarten up an outfit. I bought a red blazer from Mango and a black blazer from Zara (which I have seen in the SA Zara stores).

I hope this post gives any of you starting new jobs, like me, some useful help as you start your own professional wardrobe!

All the best
Xxx
Jen

Restaurant Review: Rocket

*Jenna*

Yesterday I had my graduation ceremony and after receiving our honours degrees my friends and I decided to treat ourselves to a group lunch. We booked a table at Rocket in 4th Avenue, Parkhurst, and I was very impressed by the restaurant and would definitely recommend it.

Decor:
Rocket is simple and sophisticated with the option of  both indoor and outdoor seating. The tables and chairs have a pleather finish which I found unique and comfortable. The interior itself is mainly a neutral colour pallet with pops of red. Furthermore I really liked their fountain feature inside as it was such a clever way to divide the space.

Menu:
There is a food menu, speciality pizza menu, wine menu and a cocktail menu. All the meals featured sound divine;they have a diverse variety of food with an upmarket emphasis. The only criticism I have is there are no 'plain' drinks on the menu so you have to play a bit of guesswork to figure out what they have.

Taste check:
My friends ordered a chicken pesto pasta, which was spectacular: seriously do yourself a favor and give it a try. My boyfriend and I ordered 'The Cheeky Thief' pizza which was chicken, caramelized onion, olives, rocket,and balsamic which was really yummy as well. To drink we ordered coffee milkshakes, piña coladas, strawberry daiquiris, and strawberry and lemon mojitos. I would recommend all of them although fair warning, the mojitois very strong.

Prices:
It is a little on the expensive size with pizzas being roughly R70, pastas R80, and cocktails R30. But for the quality it was definitely worth it.

Service:
The service was up beat and fast.

Booking:
It is not necessary to make a booking for lunch as the restaurant is fairly empty, with the exception being for a Sunday lunch where the restaurant is buzzing. I recommend that if you go for dinner to book as it is extremely popular and getting a table may be a mission.

Some things to know:
They only serve lunch from 12:00 though you are able to order drinks before.

All the best
Xxx
Jen

Restaurant Review: Thyme on Nicol

*Julia*

Thyme on Nicol

On Sunday the 3rd of March I went to Thyme on Nicol (where William Nicol intersects with Republic Road in the big Pick n Pay center) with my boyfriend and our mutual friend. I reviewed their breakfast, as that is what they are most popular for, but their lunch menu looks great too- light, fresh, lots of really unique options like salmon tartar served with crispy rye biscuits. 

Lots of bruschetta and sandwich options and salads. Also grills like steak rolls, pork spare ribs and a spatchcock chicken. Pasta, burgers, platters to share AND desserts: this place has it all.They also have a pretty good wine menu and all the usual alcoholic beverages like beer and ciders are also available.

The interior of the restaurant is bright and airy with a flare of modern decor. There is a range of seating options varying from normal tables to small elevated tables with bar stools. There is an incredible outdoor section which would be perfect for warmer weather. Also there is the Pick n Pay next door if you have any last minute grocery shopping to do.

Below I've written my review under some basic headings.

Vibe on a Sunday morning: 

cheerful, relaxed, full of people.

Breakfast Menu: 

huge range of options. Anything from a classic English breakfast, omelets, good choice of healthy breakfasts as well. 

Tried and Tested:

I ordered the scrumptious breakfast. It usually consists of ciabatta bread, 2 poached eggs, roasted tomatoes, black mushrooms and hollandaise sauce. However, as I am trying to be healthy, I asked for rye bread instead, no hollandaise sauce but I did add bacon. Asked for medium poached eggs. I was disappointed to find my eggs very over cooked and my tomatoes and mushrooms almost cold. Besides that it was a pretty satisfactory breakfast. My boy friend had a BBQ chicken quesadilla ( like a Mexican pizza made with fillings mushed between thin pieces of pita) which was very good. Our friend had their classic breakfast which was perfect - they did his eggs perfectly and everything else on his plate was delicious. 

Service: 

Good. Attentive and efficient.

Prices: 

Pretty reasonable. The Classic English breakfast including a 250g steak, eggs, mushrooms, tomato relish and toast is R65.00 

The Yummy Paw Paw breakfast including pawpaw with yoghurt, drizzled with honey and toasted but mix is R35.00 

I'd say it's a bit pricy on a student budget but definitely value for money if you feel like splurging as the food is good and the portions are big. 

General Observations: 

They serve Vida Cafe coffee as there is a Vida Cafe bar in the restaurant. Great coffee. They make a fantastic Lindt hot chocolate as well. 

Another thing that sets this place apart- there is also a sushi bar. Didn't try the sushi but it looked very good. 

Cute quote I saw on the menu: 

'strawberries are the angels of the earth, innocent and sweet with green leafy wings reaching heavenward.' - Jasmine Heiler. 

Couldn't agree more! 

Conclusion: 

Definitely worth a try, especially on a sunny Sunday morning when it's busy and filled with conversation and sunlight. Generally great food at a fairly reasonable price and fantastic coffee from Vida Cafe. 

Happy eating!

Jules 

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What to wear to an interview: How to put yourself in the best position to land your dream job.

*Jenna*

What to wear to an interview: How to put yourself in the best position to land your dream job.

So here goes my first post. To bring you up to speed; last week I went for a job interview and I have been invited back for a second interview next week.

An important part of the job interview is how you present yourself. Studies have found that in the first ten seconds of looking at someone, one forms an opinion of how successful a person will be. So first impressions count, thus if you don't dress like a successful professional (no matter how incredibly talented I'm sure you are), you will be less likely to be considered for the job. So that's the bad news. The good news is that, with the aid of this post, it is within your reach to be able to dress well for an interview.

This post is going to go through the outfit I wore which I believe aided me in getting the call back. I went for an outfit that put me across as a professional but also allowed me to look youthful. Bearing in mind I am going into a creative industry and thus dressing like a middle age lawyer would be as inappropriate as wearing a beach dress and flip flops.

1) The dress

I wore a charcoal dress with leather details from Woolworths (R299.00). I like this dress as it is simple and striking. I feel very professional in it, but the leather detail brings an edginess that puts me across as a creative individual. What I also like about this dress is that if you wear a blazer or cardigan over it you can completely change up the look of the outfit.

2) The shoes
I dressed up the dress with black suede heels from Studio W at Woolworths (R375.00), they are incredibly elegant and comfortable which makes them perfect for an interview where you won't be doing much walking around and really want to put your best foot forward. Theses shoes also come at an exceptional price for genuine leather shoes. (If you like them think about getting them asap as by they are flying off the shelf at Woolies).

3) The bag
This is an older bag that I already had in my cupboard which was from Woolworths. It is understated which I thought was suitable for an interview and it is also really nice and big so I can house my iPad in it without any issues. Bringing a book or iPad is perfect for when you have to sit and wait in the reception for the interview to begin.

4) Jewellery
So here is a good tip I did not learn until recently. For an interview keep the jewellery as minimal as possible as from every piece you wear the interviewer can infer something about you. Also, I am in the habit of fiddling with rings and bracelets when I am nervous, and you can surely see that alerting the interviewer to your nerves is never a sound plan. So for the interview I wore really simple circular silver studs and nothing else. If you want to wear another piece of jewellery make sure it is a statement piece and is there to highlight your taste.

5) Make up
In the business world it is considered polite to wear make-up. That you put in the effort to meet the person is a subtle compliment. However, this does not mean that you go full on "going-out" make up. The trick to work make up is to look like you are wearing barely any make up at all and that you naturally woke up in the morning looking radiant.

I wore Garnier BB Cream as a base (which you can get from Clicks for R74.99 and comes in light, medium and dark), which was only recently recommended to me, it is really lovely as it allows you a very light coverage which you can build up gradually.

For my eyes I used NYX, The Runway Collection, Caviar and Bubbles (which can also be found at Clicks for R159.99) which has the most beautiful collection of neutrals and browns. It's really to die for. Then put on a sweep of your favourite mascara. Note: I will put forward different ways to do eyes in a later blog post.

For your nails choose something subtle and pretty like Essie's French Affair. Or else get a French manicure. Your nails should appear well groomed but not over the top.

Finally put in a spritz of your favourite perfume, it will make you feel more comfortable and allow you to be yourself.

6) Hair
For an interview, the same goes for hair as it did for make up: put in subtle effort. Make sure that you look well-polished and professional. I wore my hair in a tight bun for the interview with a side fringe, but there is no hard and fast rule. Feel free to wear your hair up or down but pay attention to keeping it looking very neat and in place.

Thank you for reading!
I hope you get your dream job or bank this knowledge for a future interview.

All the best,
Jen xxx