The Spring Rose Festival at Ludwig's Roses is one of my yearly highlights.  Who cannot look forward to being spoiled in such a special way? This year we were treated to a rose inspired menu paired with Kleine Zalze Bubbles and Wine.  The food was beautifully prepared by the on-site venue; The Rose Shed, led by chef Tony Barnett.
And to top it all of, each of us were gifted a 'Forever Delight' rose plant and a bottle of their Pure Rose Water. 

The official festival is on until Sunday, please treat yourself to this amazing assault on the senses, the rose smell is intoxicating, the floral decor details is something to be admired and the collection of VW cars and toy car collection is not something you will probably ever see for free in your life again (and also an excuse to drag hubby with!).

If you cannot make it this weekend, Heike (Mr. Ludwig's daughter) tells me that the roses is best viewed in the month of October, and they even have a tractor that drive visitors through the rose fields! So you can take your ouma and oupa too.

Images by:  Marethe.com ​

Last week I attended the opening of Ludwig's Roses 45th Spring Festival, which runs till Sunday, 9 October. All around happiness as we were treated to lots of bubbles, yummy treats and beautiful blooms - how much better can a Thursday morning get for a girl? 

This year was extra special as the opening of the Spring Festival was paired with the unveiling of The "La Fleurette" rose, named after a JC Le Roux 'Vivante'variety.  This is the first time in the world that a rose was created and named after a sparkling wine - and seeing the rose next to the salmon pink foam of the bubbly I can tell you it is a perfect match!

​THE OCCASION
​'The 'La FLEURETTE' rose is being named as a tribute to celebrate and honour the artistry of South Africa's leading name in sparkling wines and MCC - The House of JC Le Roux. And it is also fitting that the rose was created by Mr. Ludwig himself, who founded Ludwig Rose's in 1971 and now grow the largest selection of rose varieties available anywhere in the world. Such a proudly South African moment!
Read more about the event and occasion here:  http://bit.ly/2dTYqwj-LaFleuretteRose​ 
​

I am really addicted to Instagram and not shy to admit it.  It is easy to use.  It is convenient.  It is a mobile based application, so it is always with you to take pictures of pretty things and memories as you encounter them. Pictures load instantaneously. A creative platform to see what other people {creatives} are doing, experiencing and coming up with.  

Every week I discover new accounts that have such lovely, inspirational pictures, that I have decided that they must be shared.  So please say hello to my new 'Instagram Love' posts.  
Every week I will introduce you to five Instagram accounts that I think is worth a visit.  Whenever I can, I will try and keep it to South African accounts, as is the case this week.

Is it a stamp?  No.  Is it artisan chocolates?  No.  Fudge!  It is fudge.  No.  Please let me introduce you to the prettiest soap in all of the world, and it is made right here in South Africa.  Not only beautifull soap, but beautifylly captured. Head over to Auntie Clara's handmade soap @auntieclaras and get lost for a while.  Then go and buy some for all your girlfriends!  ​SHOP

Looking for inspiration for a dinner party?  Or love looking at stunning food, getting hungry and having no way of getting to it?  Or busy planning your Cape Town food stops?  Then this is the account for you!  

I think this is just a lady that travels a lot and loves taking pictures.  I love the way she notices small details and the captures them very artistically.  Get ready for a wave of WanderLust to hit you!

It is fun, quirky and the lady behind the account keeps it interesting.  It just makes me want to live life more, fuller, does that make sense?

No need to explain, you will also love it.  Be prepared for sweet cravings to get you and a sudden urge to arrange your food before every meal and take a hundred pictures.  Just for it to never look like this, ha!  
But on the upside, she has a great food blog with recipes of all the lovely treats you see:  Baking-Ginger.Com

Now come and join us over at Instagram @planmepretty  xoxo




Disclaimer:  all opinions are my own and no payment was received for this post.

It is Spring! In our part of the country it is the beginning of longer and warmer days, rain and new life. 
Happy Spring to all our readers - wishing all of you great new things with in sync with this great new season.

What I did not mention yesterday, and something that I am very excited to announce, is that the talented Monja, owner at Deerly Studio will be designing all kinds of beautiful things for you to download and use in the coming months. *Wow*

Starting today with this stunning 'Heerlike Lente/Happy Spring' background for your desktop/laptop.  She also designed an A4 printable calendar that you can print out and use as your desk calendar for September or pop it into your diary for some pretty inspiration.

Desktop Background Afrikaans - Heerlike Lente
1680 x 1200
1920 x 1080
2560 x 1440

Desktop Background English  - Happy Spring
1680 x 1200
1920 x 1080
2560 x 1440

Printable A4 Desktop Calender 
Heerlike Lente
Happy Spring

I am such a fan of paper placemats.  They are affordable and give any table a bit of personality.  I have been playing with the idea of bringing out a line of paper placemats for a while now, and 2015 was the year!

These were all designed with mostly bridal showers, baby showers and birthdays in mind.  The 'Twee is beter as Een' is perfect for a wedding and 'Love Never Fails' ideal for a wedding anniversary.

All are available in packs of 20.  
They can be collected in Centurion or posted anywhere in SA - please request quote for postage and delivery.
You can also buy the PDF file and print them at home.

Pricing:
Pack of 20:  R75.00 (excl postage)
Digital-print-yourself-version:  R25.00

Hope you love them as much as I do, let me know :)  Xx

I can get lost in the big wide world of the internet for hours.  So much talent, creative works and original ideas.

So I thought that today I would share with you things that i discovered this week that I really loved and got lost in for a little while.  it is Easter weekend, so where ever you find yourself, you can grab your phone, tablet or laptop, and just escape for a while in all the pretty things.

Get lost in:
The picture above is from ilovedoodle.com, after browsing the site, you will also love doodle.

Feel nolstalgic with:
Illo - Stationery / Creative designs / Illustrations.  The most beautiful Birthday Cards and Invitations.  

Add 'so-hot-right-now' Scandinavian pieces to your home, from the comfort of your couch - or buy a gift for someone special: 
an online concept store inspired by Scandinavian interior design. Here you will find unique home décor pieces (designed either by us or by other local designers) that will help you to achieve the monochrome Scandinavian look in your own home. All photos were styled and taken by me in our home in Somerset West, South Africa. Our aim is to share our love for Scandinavian interiors with you - may you find plenty of inspiration here! :)
- Petro Vivier (Owner/founder)

Go somewhere:
These three venues are newly listed with us, so if you are in town and looking for somewhere to be merry this weekend, try:  Belle 66 on Rivonia;  The Secret Garden in Sandton;  Voodoo Lily Cafe in Parkhurst.

Do Something:
Looking to do something creative with the kids this weekend?  11 Fun and pretty Easter D.i.Y's to choose from.  

Bunnies and Chocolates - two things in life that creates instant happiness.  I mean skip around and laugh out loud happy.  So not hard to guess that Easter time = Happy time for me.  Chocolate and bunnies everywhere! Is this what heaven is like?!  

Searching for my Easter D.I.Y. ideas for this year, I came across some really cool crafts.  While at it, I put together my favorite ones.  You can also easily do them with the kids to get them involved.  

Please send me pictures if you tried them, would love to see.

Happy Easter for next week 
xoxo

My top 11 Easter D.I.Y's   {from left to right, kinda....}

1.  If you don't mind spending a bit of cash,  stunning Egg Hunt printable set
2.  Retro bunny wall piece to create a focus wall for your Easter table
3.  Grab-your-attention hard boiled egg center pieces for your table
4.  Dessert?  Sorted.  Your kids will love making these chocolate bunny ears
5.  Fun, colorful Easter Hunt Sign
6.  Party favors - cute bunny gift bags filled with treats
7.  Easter eggjars with bunny lids - sigh ...
8.  Easter egg Ice-cream decorating kit - in case the chocolate bunny ears did not survive!
9.  Gift Tags
10. Bunny HOLDING an egg #happyhappyme
11. Beautiful cement and gold eggs that you will be able to re-use many times over

To Eat ....
Lovely Easter menu from EAT OUT Magazine, recipes here

I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice-cream!  Not many things brings out the child in every adult as easily as a scoop of ice-cream.  Add a variety of goodies to sprinkle on top and our toes are literally curling with glee.  

Now you can bring out the kid in every guest at your party by booking MMM-Moments, a mobile ice-cream bar, for your next event. 

Mmm Moments is an ice-cream parlour service that offers delicious and unique ice-cream treats for parties and events. Their core service offering consists of a mobile stand stocked with a variety of ice-cream. Uniquely, customers are able to create an ice-cream suited to their particular preferences, as they can select any type of flavour, toppings and sauces they want. 

What I think is great is that they make everything so easy and straight forward for the client:
1)      Choose your base flavors
Before the event, the customer chooses the base ice-cream flavors they want us to make.
{Chocolate, Vanilla, Strawberry, Choc-Mint, Cookies & Cream, Pink & Blue Bubble-gum, Chocolate chip, Coffee, Rum & Raisin, Toffee, Rockie Road, Coconut flake ice-cream}

2)      Select your toppings
They will send you an excel spreadsheet relating to the numerous toppings that they offer, and which can be stocked in the stand before the event. You can choose up to eight toppings for the stand.  {List just too long to mention!}
3)      Choose cones and cups
Their customers can savor their out-of-this world ice-cream in sugar cones, sugar cone cups, and plain cones. You just need to decide which cones or cups you want and how many you need.

4)      We bring the ice- cream to you
On the day of the event, they will provide:
·         An ice-cream stand
·         An ice-cream server (two servers)
·         Your choice of ice-cream and the ingredients you have chosen beforehand.

To make your event even more memorable, they also offer additional services such as:
·         Ice-cream – themed games for children
·         A photographer to capture your special ice-cream moments
·         A photo album to keep as a memento from the event

if you would like to book MMM Moments for your next events, click HERE.

Personally I do not like to go and sit in crowded restaurants on Valentine's day.  But, I love any excuse to put in a little extra effort to create some romantic 'us' time.  And Valentine's Day is one of those perfect excuses!  

That's why I am loving this picnic basket from Root Fare Cookery!  No cooking required, just order and collect on Valentine's day.  Get in the car and spend the day in nature.  

And for new parents that do not want to leave their new baby alone with anyone yet - create a romantic picnic with candles and a blanket on the living room floor :)

ROOT FARE is based in Centurion.
To order: details below.  

But if you prefer to go out and treat your new love interest to some stunning food, here are great suggestions from EAT OUT Magazine:  www.eatout.co.za

I am a firm believer and activist of preserving the environment for ourselves, our future generations and the beautiful animal life we have on earth.  Sometimes I take a few seconds to look around me and just try and grasp at the amount of rubbish we as humans create on an hourly basis - it is shocking if you really think about it.  This is how I keep myself motivated when I am very tempted to just throw recyclable items into the normal trash.

This festive season I would like to urge everyone to try and limit their carbon footprint as much as they can - make it a challenge for yourself and your family.

To give you a bit of a helping hand, I would like to introduce you to a Johannesburg and Cape Town based business, GREEN HOME.  
WHY?
Because all GREEN HOME products are made from:
Plant starch, sugar cane, bamboo, wood, corn starch and recycled paper, wow!  And all of these products are 100% biodegradable.

See some of the stunning products from the Green Home range that you can use in your festive season entertaining, below.  From picnics to formal dining, there is something to add a bit of 'green' to any function.

From Green Home:  

When Catherine Morris originally saw compostable food packaging in Thailand, she wondered why we weren’t using it in South Africa! In less than 1 year she made a radial career move and started GreenHome 

GreenHome is a biodegradable packaging supplier providing an eco friendly alternative to polystyrene and other non-biodegradable food packaging in Southern Africa.  
Our Vision:
Our vision is to reduce the pollution and waste caused by food packaging through supplying eco friendly packaging and education and means to effectively dispose of it.

Disposable Food packaging should be made from renewable resources and should only last for as long as it is needed.  

The bagasse products can go on your home compost heap. Tear them up or soak them in water if you'd like them to break down more quickly. The CPLA bioplastic ( the clear plastic products and the cutlery) needs to composted on a well managed compost heap or sent to a composting service. It needs optimum composting conditions. 

Website: http://www.greenhome.co.za
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GreenHomeSA
Twitter: https://twitter.com/GreenHomeSA

It is only this year, after attending a workshop by @nadiavdmescht, that I started to think that maybe I should open an Instagram account.  Little did I know that I would fall so deeply in love.  No talking, no advertising, just thousands (more like millions) of stunning pictures to pour over.  This is now by far my favorite social media tool, for it's simplicity, ease of use and variety.

And it is not not only me that feels this way....  instagram is the FASTEST growing social media platform ever.  So get in there soon!

I have not had time to work on a new blog post, so this week I thought I will share with you my top 10 most popular posts on Instagram.  Enjoy.

Today I am starting a new series of posts called Want-It-Wednesdays.  What do you think of the name?  I quite like it, it has a nice ring to it.  Anyway, as the name says, I will be sharing with you pretty things that I have come across and really, really WANT.  
Obviously the list is already so long, I can sit here and write blog posts for hours.  

How did I decide on today's item? I saw one again yesterday in a picture, and it made me so happy inside, that it was immediatly chosen as the WANT item of the week.  And that item is  .......
Cakes with toy-animal-toppers!  These bring a smile to my face each and every time I see one.  Why?  Because they are fun and playfull and cute and have little animals on them.  
So this is the type of cake that I want for my next Birtday.   Here are a few of my favourites.  
Which one would you pick as your birtyhday cake?

My one friend always says 'You can catch me in a whip for this or that' when so loves something.  The same can be said of me when it comes to platter food, mezzes, finger food if you will.  I am in foodie heaven when I am confronted with a plate of food with little bits of everything that I can leisurely pick at while enjoyning a lovely glass of white.

Recently I came across Ladiere Foods  - an online food store stocked with the most delicious products that makes your mouth water by just looking at them.  Their goal is to bring restaurant quality products to your doorstep, so they deliver anywhere in South Africa.  

I have always in my head played with the idea of this one party in my lifetime where money will not be an option (not my wedding - every person should at least allowed two lavish parties in a lifetime!).   This always involved getting fantastic caterers, but since I discovered Ladiere Foods, the picture has changed.
Now my no-expense-spared party will be a picnic with lots of items ordered from the Ladiere Online Store, lots of fresh, crusty bread form the local bakery and lots of Champagne.  Yum. Foodie Heaven.  And it really will not break the bank.  I find their prices really affordable compared to luxury food products available in our supermsarkets.  And it is also such a simple way of putting together a really, pretty, foodie party that your guests will love.  

So here follows my party pic from Ladiere's online shop:
The Sweet: Carrot Cake & Chocolate Torte.  

The Savoury: Wild Mushrooms, Artychokes, Wild Mushroom Strudel, Aubergine Chutney, Beetroot & Pink Peppercorn Chutney, Chicken Liver Pate, Pork Rilettes and Butter-rosemary roasted Nuts.  These will all be servd with formagerie and salted rye biscuits.  And then I will need to pop out to buy a selection of yummy cheeses and fresh bread.  Done.

To Drink: Rosemary & Lemon Cordial and Champagne with Wild Hibiscus Flowers.

To serve with coffee: Almond & Blue cornflower nougat, Pink peppercorn meringues and almon florentines.

And everything is so beautifully packed, you will not need much in terms of decor.
It also makes for great gifts, who would not love to receive a Ladiere Food Hamper for their Birthday?  I know I would!

Picture Sources:
Ladiere Fine Foods
Sabrina's Passions

Since I became aware of a very creative lady called Nadia vd Mescht, I have been wanting to attend one of her creative workshops.  On Tuesday my wish came true when I attented Nadia's first Johannesburg based workshop  {she lives in Durban} at the Clico Boutique Hotel . 

The workshop was worth every cent spent.  Fun, creative and colourfull, definately the prettiest workshop I have ever been to. Nadia truly has a very special talent.

But on a more serious  note, Nadia reminded us again on the importance on doing the basics well, importance of systems and processes and the main reason we were there, the importance of your creative business's online and didgital presence - the reason for writing this post !  And above all - strive for excellance in everything you do.

It was also just nice to meet new creatives, also doing their own thing, with the same fears and hopes that I have! Below I share a few pictures of the styling touches on the day.