I’ve been saying for a few weeks that autumn is almost here. Well, it’s officially here and last week the temperature dipped below 20c! It’s time to sort out your winter wardrobe and maybe to invest in a few new items.
Perfect wardrobe for a working woman
Clothes are expensive, so buy wisely and try to mix and match. Always a good investment is a suit, trousers and a jacket, or even better trousers, skirt and a jacket. Choose from grey, black, caramel, cream or red. If you choose a block colour you can buy beautiful pastel coordinates to match or go for winter white, which looks gorgeous with darker colours.
A suit is perfect for carrying you through a busy day, right from morning meetings to an evening event. All you’ll need extra for the evening is a pair of sparkly earrings and instead of your handbag you use for the day, a clutch bag, which is very fashionable this season.
Also invest in a good quality pair of boots. Choose black if you can only afford one pair as they will go with almost everything. Also buy one pair of court shoes and a pair of pumps, perfect for the working woman.
Two long-sleeved blouses, two fitted jerseys as well as a loose style, which can be worn with trousers, will make up your wardrobe perfectly and in addition buy a couple of scarves and a pashmina. If you tend to spend time outdoors don’t forget gloves (knitted or leather) and a long length jacket or a coat.
Leather is very on-trend this season, personally I feel for the younger woman, but if you have a good figure and leather does it for you, go for it!
Tartan is also making a come-back. Team a pinafore dress with a high necked polo jumper, wear opaque black tights and pumps and you’ll be ready to go.
Don’t forget some beautiful lingerie, silky always looks and makes you feel glamorous. For those who feel the winter chill, buy a couple of Heat Generation tops (available at Woolworths). They are so soft and I can definitely give them a thumb’s up as I took a few to the UK and wore them at Christmas.
After applying make-up, don’t forget a touch of perfume. I guarantee as you leave home you’ll look and feel like a million dollars.
A sweet delight for Easter
A great cupcake recipe with Easter eggs on top for decoration
Ingredients
For the cupcakes
- 140 g flour
- 2 tbsp cocoa powder
- 1 tbsp baking powder
- 1 pinch baking soda
- 1 pinch salt
- 110ml buttermilk
- 1 tbsp white vinegar
- 1 tbsp vanilla essence
- 1 tbsp red food colouring
- 55g butter
- 175g sugar
- 1 egg, beaten
- For the topping
- For the topping
- 175g chocolate milk
- 110g butter, unsalted
- 1 tbsp vanilla extract
To decorate
To decorate
- Chocolate mini eggs and chocolate flakes
Preparation
For the cupcakes: heat the oven to 160°C (140° fan) gas 3. Place paper cases in a 12 hole bun tin. Stir together the flour, cocoa, bicarbonate of soda and salt in a mixing bowl. In another bowl mix the buttermilk, vinegar, vanilla and red food colouring.
Beat the butter and sugar together until pale and fluffy. Beat in the egg a little at a time. Mix in one third of the flour mixture, followed by half the buttermilk mixture, then another third of the flour, the remaining buttermilk and finally the last of the flour mixture.
Spoon into the paper cases. Bake for about 20 minutes, until risen and springy to the touch. Place on a wire rack to cool completely.
For the topping: melt the chocolate and butter in a pan over a very low heat. Remove from the heat, stir in the vanilla and leave to cool and thicken.
Spread the topping over the top of the cakes and decorate with chocolate flakes and mini sugared chocolate eggs
*Recipe taken from Fine Dining Lovers
Bouquet of the Week
Dot van Eeden from the Lions gives a huge bouquet to Roy Menyennet of Menyennet Structures and Cladding, who came to their assistance, after a break-in at the Lion’s Den. “Thank you for sending out John to assist us while you attended to another call-out. It was pouring down so we covered John with large umbrellas while he proceeded to weld in the rain,” said Dot. Special thanks to Roy who refused to take any payment.
Next week, Focus on Local will be back. Phone me 011 724 7000 with your shopping news.
Shop till you drop.
Julie
