Orms Photo Books

It all began with an idea. The idea of creating something that would inspire others to create for themselves.

That’s how my personal Orms photo book journey began.

I’ve always wanted to do a cookbook. From as far back as I can remember, since around the time I learnt to read a recipe, there has been an overwhelming personal desire to contribute to the process of cooking in some way.  

What better way to test the waters than with the exciting photo book products offered by Orms.

The program is amazing and easy to use. All you have to do is download the software from the ormsdirect.co.za website and build your book step by step!

I chose the A4 portrait standard hard cover book with a leatherette finish and gold embossing (because every girl loves a little glitter.)

You can capture your memories better than you ever could with dusty photo albums and since it’s more tangible than social media, I’ll admit, it brings back a feeling of sentimentality.

Call me old fashioned, but I might just be hooked!

The cookbook is filled with 10 recipes. I chose to collaborate with a friend of mine, Nikita Stallbom. She is a health coach and yoga instructor who I respect immensely. With our powers combined (insert quirky captain planet quote here) we have produced 10 Buddha bowls that will blow your perception of healthy eating right out of the water!

It has been such an exciting journey to see my work become a hardcover book that I can gift to my nearest and dearest.

I highly recommend that the next time you want to give the gift of memories or simply create your own keepsakes, these photo books are the way to go.

Watch this space for where you will be able buy your very own copy of the cookbook,
Happiness Is.

A very apt title. 

Cape Canopy Tours

Have you ever dreamt that you are flying? I have. Several times. I run as fast as I can and some times I take off. 

Cape Canopy Tours in Elgin gave me that feeling. Zip lining through the Hottentots Nature reserve is up there on my top adventure experiences. I thought I would be a little scared! Truth be told, the 4 hours spent flying through the sky on zip lines was some of the most fun I have had. 

You have to make sure that you are dressed for adventure and ready for action. We stopped at Peregrines for a quick coffee and a snack on our way to the reserve, they ask you to arrive timelessly and make sure you have something warm in case it gets cold! 

Once you receive your safety briefing you will be off on a bumpy ride up into the mountains. I can see why they wanted to film lord of the rings in the reserve as it truly looks like something from another world up there! 

So what is zip lining? You are in a safety harness and via a pulley system you launch from one platform to another. In between? You are flying over untouched nature at its finest. From cliffs to rivers you get to see it all in the seconds you are zooming by! The longest zip line is 350 meters and it is a scream! 

Ending off with a short hike back to your vehicle and a peregrine pie back at base camp. This adventure is a must if you are in Cape Town and one of the top things to do in the Elgin area! 

p.s just don’t forget your camera! 

Thanda Private Game Reserve, Kwa-Zulu Natal

Recently I was lucky enough to take a trip up to Kwa-Zulu Natal on the East coast of South Africa. The weather is always welcoming (even in winter) and the rolling green hills are never ending. 

An added bonus was that I was able to take the Fuji XT1 along to photograph the experience, compliments of Orms.

Travelling up to northern natal (from the airport) by road for two and a half hours brings you to a beautiful game lodge called Thanda, a private reserve that hosts the big five. Big five? Lion, Leopard, Rhino, Elephant and Buffalo. Four out of the big five are endangered so the opportunity to see them in the wild is a privilege.

I grew up visiting the bush with my family almost every year. These memories are very near and dear to my heart. Being in the wild and hearing the sounds of nature is incredible. The stars are unlike anything you have ever seen before and listening to the roar of lions at night is something that will stay with me forever.

Included in the visit to Thanda were two games drives a day, lead by a very knowledgeable team (tracker and ranger) who shared their intimate knowledge of the bush with us. From fauna and flora to tribal mythology of the region, it was incredible learning so much on a drive while taking in the surrounds.

The drives were catered with drinks and snacks, with a special stop included for sundowners overlooking the magnificent valley and the Ubombo mountains. 

The rooms at the tented lodge were absolutely incredible.

The ability of achieving five star luxuries from the humble beginnings of a hardwearing canvas structure is something of a wonder to me.

The trees surrounding the tent give you the feeling of solitude and reflection.  Coupled with a cup of tea, just sitting and soaking it all in was the ultimate relaxation!

The XT1 makes for a perfect travel companion. Small and compact this camera packs a punch. The silent shutter proved invaluable for capturing wildlife and I managed to catch even some of the wariest animals unaware! The body is robust and weatherproof which came in handy on the back of an open land rover. 

With interchangeable lenses there wasn’t a moment missed.

I enjoyed the fact that every time the camera came out; people assumed that I was shooting on film. It was a great conversation starter and it soon became clear that there is an overwhelming appreciation for the retrospective design and of course, an equal appreciation for the ease ofmodern digital functionality offered by the Fuji XT1.

Thanks to Orms and the XT1 - I captured the bush perfectly!

La Colombe

La Colombe garden

West coast oyster, caviar, kalamansi, apple and soy

Tuna ‘La Colombe’

Grilled fillet of line fish, saffron bulgar wheat, squid, chorizo, smoked soubise sauce.

Smoked ox tongue, coriander, ginger, capers, red onion, umami broth, crisp kataiffi. 

Scallop and Pork. Citrus glazed scallop, asian pork belly, cauliflower fondant, smoked cauliflower velouté.

Palate cleanser. Spheres filled with citrus liquid. 

Charmer beef, sweet breads and squash purée, crisp onion rings, port jus.  

Springbok loin, jerusalem artichoke, barley, lavender and bourbon jus.

Three ages of boerenkaas, onion, quince, walnut and cumin

Cherry Blossom. Manjari 64% chocolate crémeux, cherry stracciatella, kirsch,tonta bean almond.

There are moments – believe it or not (for those who know me) where I can be left speechless. They don’t happen often and they sure don’t last long. One of these golden moments happened recently at La Colombe.

If you haven’t heard of La Colombe before, they are situated on the Silvermist Estate in Constantia Nek. The head of the kitchen is the S.Pellegrino Chef of the Year Scot Kirton, a master of flavours and a showman with his food. 

The dining room is minimalist and the service is as sharp as a chef’s knife. I had to wonder if the muted décor was an intentional stroke of genius to ensure nothing detracted from the food.

I had previously tasted Scot’s work at the Chefs Who Share Charity gala and thought that I knew what to expect. Think again Melissa.

On my visit to La Colombe, I decided to experience the full extravaganza. Diving mouth first into the full tasting menu left me well, speechless. 

Each bite was perfection and the progression of flavours was masterfully put together resulting in a crescendo of the senses by the time the last course was cleared.

If I had to choose one word to sum up my experience at La Colombe, it would have to be something like ‘immersion’ – nothing else comes quite as close. 

The price? R 870 pp (without wine) - R 1270 pp (with wine) - R 1680 pp (with Fine & Rare wine)

Booking is essential.

Pear Moscow Mule

With this freezing weather we might as well be in the snow!

I thought I would share this recipe of a pear Moscow mule with you guys to try and warm the cockles of your hearts with vodka. I mean isn’t that the way to do it?

Quick and easy to make and using pears which are in season this recipe will leave you wanting a fireplace and more vodka Russian style! 

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Serves 1

Ingredients

• 2 shots Vodka
• ½ lime Juice
• 1 sparkling pear juice or Peartiser  
• 1 Ginger beer
• Dash of bitters
• Pears as garnish, thinly sliced

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Instructions:

To prepare the cocktail, fill a glass with ice,

Add the vodka and the lime juice.

Fill the glass generously with sparkling pear juice about three quarter way, then top off with a splash of ginger beer and a dash of bitters. Stir to combine and serve with slices of pear!

-Melissa