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We all know that Joburg’s temperature drops to below freezing and the Cape Town weatherman’s vocabulary reduces to two words from May to August: Rainy and Cloudy.
That’s why you’ve recently acquired:
• Electric blanket (you bought two because it was on special)
• Fluffy throw (for nights on the couch)
• DSTV Explora (for nights on the couch)
• New DVD player (for Grey’s Anatomy reruns)
• Wool-lined leather slippers (obviously)
The fireplace guy is also coming out later this afternoon to change your existing crackler from wood to gas. It’s all about the convenience factor, really.
Now, I’m certainly not here to tell you to return your winter goodies or even cancel with Fred the Fireplace man, but I am here to give you tips on how to make this winter even more, well, wonderful.
And we both know that the manual to happiness is not stashed between your couch cushions.
Firstly, you’re about to fall in love. Secretly so. The Daily Secret launched in South Africa a few months ago. They’re uncovering excitingly clandestine features in Johannesburg and the Mother City. All you need to do, and you can do this while under your duvet and in your favourite Snoopy flannels, is to subscribe at no cost.
Every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday you’ll then receive a little email tip on something for you to explore in your city. It’s like a best friend whispering essential clues to you every morning. About restaurants, bars, shops, styles, health and fitness. You never have to do research again! Google has just become so 2014.
But this winter (with your new fireplace and all) you’re also planning to entertain, right? You’ll need the perfect cookbooks to perfect your inner Martha Stewart. I’d recommend Let’s Celebrate by Allison Brand and Debbie O’Flaherty (Proudly South African). This book has great recipes as well as décor and theme suggestions, so you can really show off! Sticking to our patriotic theme, I’ll also encourage you to pick up Karen Dudley’s “A Week in the Kitchen”. These culinary ideas and methods will make you 2015’s favourite winter hostess.
The cold should also encourage you to add a little culture to your life (cold, culture.. it’s an alliteration thing). I’m talking art galleries, theatre productions, museums and concerts. The time for picnics, al fresco dinners and outdoor markets and movies is over. At least until September. Now’s your time to shine in an indoorsy sort of way.
Think independent, intimate and original. Market Theatre in Newtown, Theatre on the Bay in Camps Bay, the District Six Museum, the Planetarium, First Thursdays of every Month art walks. Hey, winter almost looks sunny again.
We’ve established that a lot of time will be spent on the couch (in spite of exploring secrets, hosting and up-culturing), but this is a plea directly from me to you that you at least include some reading time in between BoxOffice and Catch Up. A hundred bucks says you haven’t yet read “Long Walk to Freedom” or “Cry The Beloved Country”. Couch – check, fireplace – check, fluffy throw – check. You have no more excuses.
Then lastly, if the upcoming few months are just simply too hard to bear, then pop on over to our friendly neighbour Mozambique for magic and sunshine. Bring Mom along as a belated Mother’s Day gift or take some time off with your best friend from school. There’s always time for vacation, don’t let winter stand in your way. Not this year!
So, I trust we’re all set and we have a few things to get to. I’ll leave you now.
Hey, is that your fireplace guy knocking?
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