SundaySnackTime: Dark chocolate and avo cookies

These healthy chaps are soft and moist and can be adapted to be gluten-free and/or diary-free.

Ingredients:

1/2 cup mashed avo
100 g 70% dark chocolate(or carob)
3/4 cup wholewheat flour(or gluten-free flour mix)
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 cup sugar
2 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp apple cider vinegar
1 tsp cinnamon
2 tbs cocoa powder

1.Preheat oven to 180 degrees Celsius
2. In a blender combine sugar and avo.
3. Add vanilla, vinegar, cocoa, baking soda and cinnamon to the mix.
4. Take batter out of blender bowl and add the chocolate or carob
5. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and drop tablespoon size scoops onto paper.
6. Bake for 10min, turning the tray halfway through baking time.
7. Let it stand to cool for 4 min.

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The new cool kids on the blog

They say that if you start thinking to highly of yourself, just ask a four year old to draw you. Here is a new one though-just take a look at these well dressed youngsters and feel your head shrinking and drooping in shame and jealousy.

The tiny guy your parents warned you about.

Colourful and classy.

She got swagga.

Hipster doing it right.

Dying for these heart shaped ears.

She has already made some good choices early in life.

Allie Wang following in the family's foot steps.

It's like a tiny super human fashionista.

My future husband and future baby will have this matching outfit.

Too classy miss Wang

Dying - This IS my future baby.

'Children are great imitators. So give them something great to imitate.'

Have a Beautiful Day

This morning dawned bright and sweet, like ribbon candy.

I feel so blessed to have the sun wake me. It seems Cape Town will be delivering a beautiful day.

I love summer and nothing lifts my spirit more than sunshine. I know some of you are going into winter now, but nonetheless, may your day be filled with love, laughter and light.

Go buy or pick some flowers to brighten your room.

Listen to great music.

Write a letter to a far away friend.

Weigh yourself down with outrageous amounts of jewelry.

Sketch, paint or draw.

Plant some flowers or herbs.

Try to look cooler than this kid in a beanie.

 Wear beautiful underwear.

Enjoy some cool pop.

Read a classic.

Wear a sparkly hat.

And if the sun isn't out in your part of the world, go dancing in the rain.

However you choose to spend your time, I hope the days come easy and the moments pass slow and each road leads you where you want to go.

   

Talent Spot: Photographer Marike van Wyk

'She said she cried at least once each day, not because she was sad, but because the world was beautiful and life was so short'

And that dear people is why we need photographers, they capture a moment that's gone forever. When time passes and memories fade, a photograph remains.

A few weeks ago we did our lookbook for the Markham Menswear collection and had the opportunity to work with Marike van Wyk(see post Markham Menswear Arc Lookbook 13 September 2013).

Marike has completed a three year photography course at the Hugo Naude Art Center in Worcester and is now a first year photography student at VEGA. She inherited her passion for photography from her father. Nature and all forms of art inspire her and it is clear that this girl loves what she does. Her work  so far includes everything from beautiful nature scenes to high fashion shoots.

She is extremely down to earth, yet professional and easy to work with. When you explain to her what outcome you want from a shoot, she will deliver it beautifully in her photos. 

If you would like to view more of her work or are interested in working with her, please feel free to email her - vwmarikevanwyk@gmail.com

Monday Lunch Option: Pomegranate, pear and walnut salad

Perfect for a summer lunch and it keeps well for up to three days if you refrigerate the leftovers.

Ingredients:

1 pack of mixed greens
1 pear sliced
1/2 cup pitted dates, sliced
1/4 pomegranate seeds
1/2 coarsely chopped walnuts
1 wheel of feta
balsamic vinegar
olive oil

Combine the ingredients.
Drizzle with balsamic vinegar and olive oil.
Toss and serve.

Enjoy your Mediterranean inspired cuisine with lemon ice tea or lemongrass tea.

Support Breast Cancer: No bra day

It's time to set them free, ladies.

The thirteenth of October has been declared 'No bra day', to support and create awareness for breast cancer. Whether you are brave enough to take the day on without support or would  rather support in other ways, spare a thought to the millions of brave women who have fought with breast cancer.

Other ways to show your support:

Jirah Virtual Services are selling pink necklaces and earrings to raise funds for CANSA's Women Health Campaign. Both items cost R 35.

Purchase a ghd V pink diamond set. For every set sold, until the end of October, hundred rand will be donated to cancer research.

WoolWorths are selling pink shopping bags and for each bag sold five rand will go towards CANSA.

Great Lengths will donate a percentage of profits made from their pink hair extensions to cancer research.