It literally could be a Game of Thrones set outside my window this morning...that is how much snow we have surprisingly had overnight. And with this 'winter wonderland' revisiting us, I am packing a suitcase and heading towards the city that almost feels like a second home. I wish you all a wonderful weekend (up north it should be pretty mild) and a well-deserved rest after the stressful week!
picture credit: Pinterest

When strolling through Cape Town, you can be struck by many things. Here, the people are clearly in tune with their fashion side and able to express it in a very laid back kind of way, but never, ever ignoring the power of a bit of glamour. Case in point, this next face, that clearly manages to astound with its openness and flawless skin....

In South Africa there a few sacred things one should always be aware of. There is the importance of food, the significance of good weather and the necessity of good hospitality. On this one sunny late afternoon, or more early evening, all three of these came together to create a wonderful occasion.
At the Campus Bay Retreat, nestled above the now-famous beach strip, you can, if you are lucky enough, be spoilt to an eveing sampling a remarkable braai (or barbeque, to the foreigners). We started off with old fashioned cocktails (mojitos and martinis), which felt fitting, considering that this hotel is really old English, in the good sense. Our dinner companions were a little delayed (this is due to the ghastly traffic, which has become a huge problem in Cape Town). But, with this view, waiting was not a problem at all. When they arrived, they had mojitos and a gorgeous-looking strawberry daiquiri.
The braai, which takes place on Saturdays in summer, proved to be all we expected....the best of salads followed by tender braai meat, that had my cousin Ravi, scratching his head at...it is rare to get meat that tender off an open grill. Follow this, with good wine, and hearty desserts, we were happy indeed...

With the addition of this new eatery to Cape Town, a new highlight has appeared on my culinary horizon. Foxcroft, part of La Colombe is not just a wonderful spot to stop and enjoy the good weather accompanied by some really creative cooking. The menu is designed in three steps: enjoy two tapas, one main and a dessert. Highlights included squid with chorizo, ajo blanco and wild garlic. From the mains, Jürgen raved about the chalmar beef with duck fat chips, carrots, brussels and cafè au lait. And, not to ignore the delicious dessert variations, the roasted pineapple parfait with mango and coconut was more than a just finish to a great meal. One of the most astonishing things about this restaurant is not the inventive cooking, but the meticulous attention to detail when arranging the food on the plates...sadly not all restaurants pay attention here, but Foscroft is indeed in a league of its own.

For some of you this may be a religious holiday and for others, a four day hiatus from the work routine...for whatever reason you are enjoying this long weekend, Dashing George wishes you all a good break!

When in Cape Town, you are always confronted with glamour in varying degrees. It is a city that is far too mellow for those living in Gauteng, because here, the people are too chilled for their liking. My father always used to say, if you need anything done in Cape Town, phone Monday to Wednesday....from Thursday onwards, the Capetonians are in weekend mode already. I used to smile at this, thinking that it was perhaps a mad exaggeration, but when I lived in this beautiful city, I realised that there was some truth to this statement. It is indeed a city that is both relaxed and hectic; a city that manages to always surprise and yet be familiar.
Our model, above and below, made me stop in my tracks because, to incorporate such a dramatic bun into a day look takes guts and a certain pride that a South African woman can carry off with such ease.

This time, I have decided to present Cape Town and the surrounds in a different way...I thought to myself, why not present the 'best of' alongside some streetstyle? Shake things up a bit. So, here is the first entry...Le Lude, in Franschhoek, my favourite part of the Cape winelands, where time literally can stand still. This MCC (in South Africa, you can't call it Champagne) is unique because it is produced in small batches, and alongside a great lunch, there is an amazing canapé tasting menu that can be sampled outside...so, if you like smoked snoek with atchar remoulade or duck liver parfait on toatsted brioche with your 'champagne', then try this wonderful place...my highlight was the vanilla profiterole that had a hint of sea salt...sublime when paired with the rosé MCC. Add to this a perfect summer day, then the rest just automatically falls into place.

So, here at Dashing George, I like to push a boundary now and then and this next face certainly does this...spotted in Cape Town while I was shopping, he proved to be a very interesting mix of both masculine and feminine. In these times where we are challenging ourselves with what we deem beautiful, the frame of this face is so good that it deserves a post and much respect...not just any old person could pull off these amazing eyelashes with such attitude.

Christian Dior once said, 'Real elegance is everywhere, especially in the things that don't show'. And this quote is so true, when we look at simple outfits, that at first glance appear simple. She is no stranger to this blog and her fashion savvy always makes me smile...and when I come across a photo this fierce, then I have to share it with you. I love the heels, the simple outfit, but above all this, the attitude that is, typically, Romy.