Decrease the frequency of watering

Trends at Decorex 2013

This latest trend of "new vintage" is popular amongst teenagers at the moment with their modernised vintage clothing and accessories, so it is interesting to see this fashion trend has influenced decor designers too, and can be seen in many of the exhibitors creations.

Inspired by the flowing organic forms of Art Nouveau, Tom Faulkner's new dining table named after the city of Vienna, features an unusual shaped top, somewhere between a rectangle and an oval, with gently rounded corners. While his Puzzle coffee table, also paying homage to the Art Deco period, has been designed with elegant modern geometry.

Well known stylist and interior designer, Tracy Lee Lynch was invited to interpret the theme of this year's Decorex in Cape Town - "Bliss". Her dramatic and beautiful entrance installation with the amazing tapestries by French artist Frederique Morrel as a backdrop, showcases the worldwide revival of cross-stitch as a design trend, with a sense of whimsical nostalgia.

In other exhibitions inspirational words are the focal point at the edge of a coffee table, crocheted octagonals create a nice warm winter floor rug, or wire structures form interesting geometric side and coffee tables.

Visit Decorex Website

Information at a glance

The see-through lens could display everything from text messages to maps to reminders. They may be capable of showing video chats, providing turn-by-turn directions, taking photos and recording notes - all through simple voice commands, according to a concept video produced by the company and released on YouTube.

Commercial possibilities include enhanced vision systems for use in manufacturing, engineering, health care and other industries. A surgeon could have all of a patient's vital information literally in front of his eyes while operating, for example.

Research firm Gartner says there are about a dozen companies with products fueled by advances in optics and microprocessors and the smartphone revolution, many of them ready for prime time. There could be as many as 10 million smartglasses sold worldwide by 2016, if software developers can come up with appealing applications that provide wearers with useful, non-obvious information about their surroundings.

Source: Scientific American and CNN

64 micro and macro nutrients in one sip

Statistics compiled by the U.S. Department of Agriculture verify a precipitous drop in nutrient density within our common food supply in just the last forty years. The loss of trace nutrients is significant enough that it is very rational to believe that dietary supplementation with a concentrated green food is optimal.

Green food supplements, if properly formulated with nutrients in their natural state, can provide astounding nutrient density. They can, in effect, return our dietary intake of micro-nutrients to something more closely approximating the richness of our ancestral, Paleolithic diet.

Green Vibrance is such a supplement, as it delivers a multitude of nutrients (64 in total) that can be used by each cell to support efficient cellular metabolism and maintain health. Reading their label of ingredients and nutrients listed on the bottle confirms that the a-z of vitamins and minerals are being consumed in each teaspoon of the supplement. It includes plant protein, vegetable and fruit extracts, enzymes, antioxidants, amino acids and probiotics.

They also make a supplement specifically formulated for growing children - Junior Green Vibrance and for diebetics - Glycemic Vibrance.

Source : Fresh Earth Food Store and Vibrant Health and why we eat green foods.

Privacy and spectacular views in the Karoo

Located in the Swartberg Mountains (listed as part of the Cape Floral Kingdom World Heritage Site) more than 200 bird species, predators and 23 hoofed game species can be spotted. The Klip River runs through Chandelier for 8km, and is the source of several waterfalls and crystal clear pools.

Chandelier has a variety of accommodation - luxury tented chalets, log cabins, bush camp and a self catering cottage, where guests are woken every morning with the beauty of birdsong.

The 8 luxury tented chalets (sleeping 2 per tent) offer a unique bush experience - the chalets are placed on wooden decks in the bush and great care has been taken to provide privacy and spectacular views. Each en-suite unit has a private observation deck from where guests can spot various game species on their way to the water hole.

Each tent chalet is equipped with white linen and velvet, as well as corner or spa baths and air conditioning or fans. The stylish decor creates superb luxury, under the canopy of the acacia trees. The showers, with only the stars as a roof, are something to experience.

The self catering Log Cabins (great for families) are set on wooden decks overlooking the majestic Swartberg mountains, with braai facilities, one can sit back and enjoy the sunset and birdsong in true Klein Karoo style. There are en-suite bedrooms, open plan kitchen/lounge, television, air conditioning, heaters, a fridge and a gas stove.

And if you are all braai'ed out Chandelier has the Kings Mask Restaurant at your disposal. The restaurant, with an elegant African atmosphere, specializes in traditional South African cuisine, with the emphasis on tasty ostrich and venison dishes.

Visit the Chandelier Game Lodge website for more information.