A weekend of luxury at The Marine, Hermanus

Situated on the cliff edge overlooking the glorious Atlantic ocean, The Marine is one of the most spectacular luxury hotels I have ever stayed at. Part of the Mcgrath Collection this establishment overlooks Walker Bay and is the ultimate Whale watching location in Hermanus. I can now safely say first hand that The Collection holds three world-class hotels. 

Hermanus is an old fisherman's village which has become one of the most popular whale watching towns in the Western Cape.  A two-hour drive from Cape Town, The Marine is a getaway that will offer you all that you need. 

With uninterrupted sea views, the hotel boasts many sea facing rooms - which is a must if you are visiting!
The hotel dates back to 1902 and is steeped in history which can be found around every corner. Once placed in Liz McGrath's hands the grand lady was refurbished and brought into the 21st Century while honouring the hotel's unique heritage in 1998. 

The rooms are the ultimate luxury with calming colours and crisp white sheets. We stayed in the Princess suite that left me utterly speechless. A double volume room with a walk-in closet and lounge area that overlooks the ocean. The attention to detail comes right down to the coffee machine and handwritten welcome note. To be honest it is the first room I have stayed in where I didn't even want to go down for dinner but rather have room service instead. 

Speaking of room service; let’s talk about the food - which, granted, can be challenging with a mouth full of delicious starters or mains or dessert. Once a feast has kicked off, it is difficult to stop. I have had the privilege of visiting all three hotels that comprise the Liz Mcgrath Collection and I can easily say (excluding The Green House which is in a league of its own) that Origins at The Marine is my favourite. The food is just simply YUM. Bistro style and nothing complicated - Simple, beautiful cuisine. The flavours are perfect and each meal left me wanting more! There is something to be said for simple food done really well. It's my second time visiting and I will return again regardless of where I stay in Hermanus. If you are doing the same - be sure to book and try the bouillabaisse and the apple tart for dessert. 

With an on-site Spa, you might find it hard to leave the hotel. Don't worry, there is no judgement here because the same might or might not have happened to me. Book in advance and get your relaxation in with a full body massage or why not take some time out to detox in the steam room. No matter which treatment you choose you are sure to feel pampered and spoiled. 

Whether you find yourself in town over whale season or not,  be sure to  take a walk down the cliff path and get lost in the beauty that is Hermanus and its ocean views. You will find dassies bouncing around that will certainlyput a smile on your face! 

Staying at Holden Manz wine estate

Just over an hours drive out of Cape Town tucked away at the foot of the Franschhoek mountains you will find the peaceful and beautiful Holden Manz. A small estate with vineyards that surround you. The estate might be small but you won't run out of activities and you are sure to leave relaxed and longing for more. 

The guest house is eclectic and decorated with an impressive art collection that you could get totally lost in. I have yet to see such an extensive variety in a personal collection. With many local artists, I found myself with wine in hand meandering from one piece to the next. 

The rooms are spacious and have an old charm to them. With king size beds and fluffy duvets getting up in the morning wasn't particularly easy! I could have slept in for days. The bathrooms are spacious with double basins and of course a huge tempting bath that I couldn't enjoy with the drought! 

With a perfect nights sleep in the bag, you could make your way to the spa and get engulfed in the ultimate luxury. The spa offers all treatments and prides themselves on supporting amazing natural local brands. I tried out the full body massage as I always do and it was so much of yes! Be sure to book if you visit!  

Post bliss visit the restaurant where the art takes shape in the gorgeous plates from the kitchen. Each plate has been well thought out and the food is almost too pretty to eat! Almost. If you find yourself there then the duck didn't disappoint and neither did their wines. My favourite? The Chenin Blanc of course! 

After lunch, I made my way down to the river and enjoyed a walk around the estate. With towering trees and surrounding mountains, you can't help but exhale. Which is never a bad thing. Breathing in the fresh country air can only be food for the soul! 

The staff are always on hand with a friendly smile and will attend to any of your needs. If you feel like exploring, the main town of Franschhoek is five minutes away. Strolling through the village is always fun if you want to venture out. Be sure to try the beer and wine tasting as well as any of the amazing restaurants. If not you will always have a home away from home at Holden Manz. 

-Melissa 

A Guide to the Ultimate Girls Day Out In Cape Town with She Said & The Truffle Journal

So you have 24 hours and you need to know what to do in Cape Town? Although I am lucky enough to live here, Anna-Belle my mate from Joburg is often down and I love showing off this amazing city! Its been really awesome being an entertainer and sharing all this amazing city has to offer! So we decided to put together a little list of things to do on a girls day out. Whether you are a tourist in Cape Town or local there is plenty for everyone and who says the perfect date cant be with one of your besties? Here is our list of activities that we get up to when we have time together!

The Oranjezicht city farm market on a Saturday

The market sadly only runs on a Saturday but if you find yourself available you won't be disappointed. Breakfast starts early and if you get there around 8:45 then you will miss all the crowds and get to tuck into local, fresh, artisanal food that will leave your belly in a very happy place! With each store offering something unique and different you should be prepared to do some shopping and pick up yummy gifts for family and loved ones! It is also a great place to get a snack (which we are all about) for a picnic on the beach. 

Jiva at the Taj

No date would be complete without a five-star massage at the famous and beautiful Taj hotel spa, Jiva. I honestly have never been so relaxed. The spa is five-star and the staff has hands from heaven. You will be engulfed in relaxation. With a fruit platter and detox tea post-treatment plus your very own prayer beads as a gift, you will leave feeling like you were on a months holiday in Seychelles. The hotel as such is simply spectacular and an institution of Cape Town. With the company gardens on the doorstep of the hotel, you can take a walk and explore them whilst feeding the friendly squirrels and overlook the splendor that is table mountain! 

Visit the top of Table Mountain

The view is always better from the top and in this case its a guarantee. Table Mountain is the 7th natural wonder of the world and is truly amazing! You can catch a cable car up or hike up and catch the car down. Either way make sure to plan, book online here and take your sunblock and water. You can go up early or catch the sunset from the top. The views are breathtaking and really something to marvel at! Exploring the top of the mountain is amazing so make sure you give yourself some time at the top! 

Visit Clifton beach

From the very top of the mountain to the bottom of the beach. Cape Town has it all. The pristine beaches will leave you feeling like you are in Monaco. With blue flag beaches, Clifton is well known for its ice-cold water and its magnificent sunsets. You can pack a picnic basket and blanket and enjoy the best view in the world. Summer or winter you won't be disappointed! When I watch the sunset's I truly realize how lucky I am to call this place home. It is such a great reset from the hustle of life! 

Pop into the Mojo market for lunch or dinner

The Mojo Market is one of the hippest and happening spots in the Sea Point revival. It is a market filled with different food and clothing stores. It has a little something for everyone. If you want to stick to healthier food and plant-based or indulge and get ribs and ice cream you will find it at the Mojo Market. It's a great spot to meet up with friends and have a beer and a catch-up! 

Catch a Yoga class 

Cape Town has some amazing Yoga studios and it is always a treat to have a flow together. Working up a sweat and letting go of our day is one of our best things to do. Yoga always makes me feel better and lighter. A perfect way to end the day. With classes scheduled throughout you can pick a time slot that works for you! Some studios are Unraveled Yoga, Wild Thing, Hot Dog Yoga and The Yoga Life! 

Dinner at The Short Market Club

As part of the Luke Dale Robert collection of amazing restaurants, The Short Market Club is one of my favourites in Cape Town. The tasting menu is sublime and the wine perfection. A true highlight that shows off the amazing food experience that we have here in Cape Town. Reservations are a must however, you can take a chance with a walk in. 

No matter where you find yourself. Love your friends, be kind and celebrate friendship. It is something to be so grateful for because, in the end, they are the family you choose! 

If you want to see how much Anna-Belle loves Cape Town then click here. 

-Melissa

Sweet potato and Acai smoothie bowl

Guilty as charged! I promised you guys more recipes and to be honest, with the launch of my cookbook WHOLE - bowl food for balance, it has been crazy! I am hoping that this insanely delicious smoothie makes up for it. If you haven't shopped my book yet then click here to get your hands on a copy! 

As you guys know I have PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome) This is an endocrine disease that stops me from having a regular cycle. I used to feel really ashamed about sharing it with others. However, I have since learned that 8-10% of females at childbearing age have it. I have also learned along the path of discovering my health that it is a solvable problem through healthy eating and lifestyle changes. 

It can be overwhelming when you look at the whole picture and you have so many people telling you what not to eat and what to eat. I have learned that the only way I am going to succeed is to make one small change a day or even in a month. All the little changes eventually add up and before you know it you will be leading a healthier lifestyle. 

This smoothie bowl is unique because I recently discovered that banana isn't ideal for me to be having as someone with PCOS because it is higher in sugar and sugar triggers hormonal acne. It's not to say a banana is bad. It's just to say that it isn't necessarily good for me as an individual right now. The problem is though, is that I love creamy smoothies. I mean duh, who doesn't. I went down the rabbit hole to find out what solution and I found it. Steamed sweet potato. Yes, you heard me. I steam it, then I freeze it, then I blend it and it is glorious! It makes the smoothies super decadent and delicious and it doesn't overpower the flavours. It's a healthy carb and a great kick starter to my day! I steam the sweet potato then I freeze it placed out on a baking tray so that it doesn't stick together. Once frozen I add them to a freezer safe Tupperware.

If you do this you end up with at least a weeks worth of supply and you can give the bananas a break. Try it and see how you feel. Does your body love it or not so much? It's about listening to what works for you. For now, I am on a mission to make as many small changes as I can in order to achieve normal health and hormonal balance! 

---

Ingredients:

1 1/2 steamed and frozen sweet potato (about 2 cups) – white or orange sweet potato
1 cup of frozen berries of your choice (I used blueberries) 
1 teaspoon acai
1 teaspoon chia seeds
1/2 ripe avocado
1 serving of pea protein powder or protein powder of your choice
2 majool dates, pitted
1 tablespoon of almond butter + extra for drizzling on top
1/4 cup almond milk, you can add more if needed. 

toppings all optional:

chia seeds
raspberries
sliced banana
coconut
strawberries
almond butter
pumpkin seeds
buckwheat
sunflowers seeds
 

---

Instructions:

Add all ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth. Decorate with toppings and serve! 

-Melissa 

AfrikaBurn - Art, Dust & Dancing

We are in the universe and the universe is within us. Every atom in your body came from stars that exploded and we are made of stardust. So don't be so small. 

Look up into the night sky, you are a part of it. We are children of the stars. So at the moment where you forget this, in the moments where you doubt yourself or think that you can't. In the moment where you think that you are insignificant. Just remember that you are so gloriously wonderful. That you have the ability to love, be kind, communicate and uplift. You can lend a hand or change someone's day around by smiling. You can give, offer and contribute for the better. Focus on the right, not on the wrong. Create a safe space for others to be vulnerable and to be able to show you their souls. You can create, inspire and move your body to the music. You are able. So be willing because many out there aren't. Stop complaining and start doing. 

How do I know this all? I've seen it. In a magical place filled with art, dust, and dancing. For those that moved with me, thank you. I couldn't have asked for a better Burn. AfrikaBurn you have my heart.

"As above, so below, as within, so without, as the universe, so the soul" - Hermes Trismegistus

Until next year, namaste.