DIM SUM NO.2 - JING JING / HESHENG

I feel like I've still got the dim sum craving.
So, last night, I scoured the Internet for a list, there must be one!
Someone must have compiled a list of the best places to eat dim sum!
Then, I found it.
The Eat Out team have this amazing list on their website.
Rad.
I'd heard that there was a cool place in sea point that sells yummy dumplings at a good price, I scoured the list looking for it.

Enter Jing Jing Hesheng. 70 main road, sea point.
Google maps landed us up at mr chan's. We turned around and did it the old fashioned way, looking at the numbers, which was hard to do in the dark streets of sea point where the people drive like cowboys. We eventually found it, then spent another couple of frantic minutes looking for a spot to squeeze in my car.

We walked in, me wearing black jeans, black jacket, white shirt, leather handbag and shoes. The room greeted us with a scream of neon lighting, pleather table cloths, and floral seat covers complete with a nylon frill. Yes. I had over dressed. Yes. This was the place. I just knew we were gonna get amazing food here.
I got excited, we ordered some drinks and stared at the menu wanting everything. There was a poster on the wall with pictures and descriptions of all the food.
My favourite picture was the "green vegetables speculation cakes" followed by "laver & egg soup"
We ordered the pork fried dumplings, R40, they arrived at the table hot and piled up on a plate.
Gene and I ate them like a couple of wild animals, ripping apart the little sacks with our teeth, squirting the juices everywhere. My word, they were delicious!

For mains, Gene had the chicken cashew dish with rice, he only just about finished it.
I ordered the chicken noodle soup with looked exactly like Gene's but with different nuts and noodles in soup.
It was gigantic. I couldn't finish it and I ate it for breakfast the next day.

This is basically my new favourite place and you'll probably find me there often from now on.

DIM SUM NO. 1 - SOUTH CHINA DIM SUM

Gene and I have been craving some dim sum.
I'd heard about the new place on long street and had been wanting to get in there for weeks.
As I walked into South China Dim Sum, it was packed with local folk and only about 3 people who I didn't know. I bought some beer and wine and sat down with Gene to peruse the menu.

We ordered the noodle salad with chicken and a portion of dim sum, as well as this round doughy thing I can't remember the name of. All the food is served in eco friendly take away containers, which I'm not sure if I love or hate. The noodle salad was tasty and fresh but a little bit pricey for the size (R40) We ate our dumplings, which were delicious. The plate comes with three dumplings for R28 and was just too delicious for sharing. I ate a noodle dumpling (pork and shrimp filling) because I was still hungry which was really tasty.

Gene and I can both eat. A lot. So, this was not an incredibly filling meal for the price, but was big on quality, taste and the restaurant's stripped down aesthetic.

Image by Cindy Taylor

NEW NECKLACES IN STOCK

I have new necklaces in stock!
Available directly from me, contact me at hello@laurenfowler.co.za
or come visit the Lost Is A Place Too studio at 150 Albert Road, Woodstock.


All necklaces are R220
View more here.

I LOVE YOU DUDE



So! February is the month of love. Slap bam in the middle, we have Valentine's Day. I don't care what anyone says, it's rad. It's rad to feel special. It's rad to go out for a nice dinner and it's rad for your partner to get a beautiful heart felt gift.


A personalised x-stich hoop!
Could it be more perfect?
Not only is it a pretty wall decoration, it's also a symbol of love in your home, an affirmation if you will. Also, if you live together, it's kinda like a gift for yourself too.
All cross stitch orders come with a free Grr Bear card.


I'll be taking orders up until the 10th of February (Friday)
A 4" hoop, black or white canvas for R400 add R50 for a 5" hoop. 
If you want your own custom hoop, they start from R450.
I'm also doing a special on the "RAD owls piece":
I'll customise with your initial and you lovers initial (L & G) instead of writing RAD or, your favourite word. 


Ideas of fav words could be:
-lifie
-lovah
-biscuit
-noonoo
-myluuav
-dude
-woman/man beast 

LEARN X STITCH AT THE KIDULT EXHIBITION



On the 15 of February, from 12pm - 1pm  I'll be conducting a workshop on how to make your very own cross stitched wall hanging. We're basically gonna have a bitch craft. 

This workshop is open to anyone who wants to learn one of the oldest forms of embroidery, a beautiful vintage art form, cross stitch. 

Work created will adorn the walls of the art class for the duration of the exhibition and can be collected by workshop participants upon the closing of the exhibition on 23 March. 

The workshops are for kidults 18+, unless specified otherwise. Kids must be accompanied by an adult. The workshop is R95 and includes material costs. 

You can secure your seat by doing an EFT into the account below, and to send an email with proof of payment, the workshop you wish to attend and your name and number to hello@thefringearts.co.za

Standard Bank - The Fringe
Account 070254621
Branch 020009




For a full workshop schedule and more info go to 
http://www.facebook.com/events/355598511124765/

BACK AGAIN


I'm back from the karoo and back to real life.
I'm moving into my studio at the Woodstock Foundry this week.
Watch out for updates here or follow me on twitter to follow me every step of the way!

TAKE CARE & ADRIAAN KUITERS SHOP OPENING


I feel like there are new shops opening up all over Cape Town's city bowl. It's got me all excited and this is one the best of all! Take Care and Adriaan Kuiters finally have a home on Kloof St!
Their shop warming takes place this Friday the 23rd at their new home 73 Kloof St.
I already stopped in yesterday and purchased myself 2 new outfits. YAY!


Take Care is a wonderful collection of basic, beautifully designed women's clothing by Jessica Harwood.
Adriaan Kuiters wardrobe is clean, sophisticated and on trend for any stylish male, by Keith Henning.

XMAS GIFT HELP

I know exactly what you're all thinking.
Christmas is in a week, I haven't bought a thing, I'm so stressed out and I'm STILL at work and I don't want to go to a mall and and and...


I'm here to help.


For the past couple of weeks, I've been keeping my little eyes open for rad gifts to buy friends and family that aren't mass produced and lame. I've also included quite a few unisex or male type gifts as we all know that getting guys socks and bottle of whisky is so unimaginative.


No. 1
COFFEE AND TEA
Everyone enjoys a cup of coffee or tea, but a box of joko and a can of nescafe just isn't gonna cut it. Enter Rosetta Roastery. I found out about this little coffee roastery a couple of days ago at the Freeworld Design Centre Artisan market. Their coffee is tasty and complex.
I bought a gift box of this coffee for R225. Inside, there are 3 different types of coffee. You can make up your own box and order it online on their website, here.


For those of you who enjoy a peaceful, ritualistic kind of tea, Lady Bonin is your woman. Jess' romantic take on tea has changed the way we see this anytime beverage.  Each tea is wrapped in muslin and placed is a glass clasp jar. Check out the different teas and their prices hereJess can deliver in the CBD or your tea may be collected from Observatory in Cape Town. Alternatively, you can have it couriered to you for an extra cost.


No. 2
CHOCOLATE
So, you don't wanna buy chocolate that's gonna make someone feel guilty, fat and under appreciated. This is where Honest chocolate solves everything. The two chocolatiers, Anthony and Michael, have gone to great lengths to bring us a sugar free, dairy free, guilt free, raw, beautifully packaged chocolate. They use agave nectar instead of sugar as well as vanilla pods and coconut oil to bring out the awesomeness in the raw, organic cacao. They have a range of 3 products: Bon Bons; Slabs (my favourite is the 88% 'Don't Be Afraid Of The Dark'); and Chocolate spread. Find out more about the chocolate here.


No. 3
CRAFT BEER & WINE
If you know me, you know that I love craft beer. And Union Craft Beer that is. Buy a 4 pack from the And Union beer salon on Bree St for R90 or purchase some of the fine wines, sure not to disappoint any friend or family member.
More info here.


No. 4
A INTERESTING READ
Rattlesnake Books in Muizenberg is one of my favourite little shops. They stock beautiful old books as well as gorgeous engravings, maps, quirky objects and paintings. You can get it all here. They're very new, so their site is still under construction here, alternatively you can see some pics on their facebook page, here.


No. 5
A GOOD HAIRCUT
A man looks his best when his hair is treated with kindness. The good folk down at Barnet Fair give old fashion barber cuts, hot towel shaves and beard trims. They take the time to make a man feel his best. Ladies, this is the mani-pedi for your man. Vouchers are available on request, get more info here.


No. 6
SOMETHING TO LOOK AT
My prints have been selling quite well over the last week to men as well as woman. You can purchase a print, ranging between R350 to R450. Have a look at what's available here. I've also just released another two prints which are shown above.


No. 7
JEWELLERY
Inkheart Jewellery has interesting, original pieces. Each piece is hand crafted from silver, all handmade and not your run of the mill iconography. Nina's jewellery boasts octopus pendants, owl rings, solid silver umbrellas and snowflakes. Pieces range from R250 to R800 Keep up with Nina's new pieces here.


No. 8
SKINNYLAMINX
Heather Moore doesn't need any introductions. A tea towel, an apron, a cushion cover, all the home essentials. The new Skinnylaminx shop can be found at 201 Bree St, Cape Town. Yay! Or order online here.


No. 9
A LUNCH PROMISE
My new favourite restaurant is found at 133 Bree Street, Clarke's bar and eatery is the best place for a burger and a beer. Whoever you take here is going to love every minute of it. With fresh clean white walls, windows full of plants, Deluxe coffee and pretty, friendly staff, what's not to like? More info here.






No. 10
THE CUTEST BOWLS EVER
Sessi Bee creates the cutest handmade bowls. Each one is totally different, I can't think of a reason why no one would like these. Find Sessi Bee's Blog here and here Facebook here.

MARKET TONIGHT AT TJING TJING BAR

Together at Tjing Tjing Bar tonight. 
I'll be selling my wares amongst these other fabulous friends and fellow creators. 
There'll be free drinks from Bacardi for the early birds. Get there early so you can get in, last time there was a queue to get inside.

I'll have my prints, xstitch, cards, tags and feather earrings for sale.
I do commissions such as personalised blog headers, branding, custom x-stitch hangings and anything else you'd like to throw my way, come have a drink with me and let's chat :)
See you at 6pm!

Lost & Found

Hey!
If you're in JHB, you should go to this tonight / 24th November!
I'm exhibiting some of my work as well as 2 new pieces in the theme of "lost and found"

I'm quite proud of these two pieces as I spent countless hours on them. 
I'm also very excited to be exhibiting in Johannesburg again.

Here are some sneak previews of my works in progress from my posters.
The prints will be on sale as editions.